Kiwanis donates to Oak Orchard’s Mommy and Me program

Posted 12 July 2022 at 3:49 pm

Provided photo: Pictured from left include Robin Govanlu, LMHC, LAC, LPC, director of Behavioral Health; Danielle Renodin-Mead, pediatrician and chief medical dfficer; and Peter Head, president of the Kiwanis Club of Brockport.

Press Release, Oak Orchard Health

BROCKPORT – Peter Head, president of the Kiwanis Club of Brockport, visited Oak Orchard Health to make a $1,000 donation to the new Mommy and Me program.

This program is designed to support mothers/primary caregivers and babies together in achieving optimal maternal and child health. The data shows that 1 in 7 women experience postpartum depression or anxiety, according to Postpartum Support International.

“The Kiwanis Club of Brockport looks for opportunities to help families in our community. The Mommy and Me Program addresses a critical need in our area.  Our Club has always had a close relationship with Oak Orchard Health. We believe our missions are similar – supporting children and keeping everyone healthy,” said Peter Head, President of Kiwanis in Brockport.

The local program is co-founded by Dr. Danielle Renodin-Mead, pediatrician and chief medical officer; and Robin Govanlu, LMHC, LAC, LPC, director of Behavioral Health.

The Mommy and Me Program is an extremely innovative approach to improve child health outcomes in our region, and not only that but to also improve maternal health outcomes, with special attention to mental health in the postpartum period.

All Mom/Primary caregivers and babies of Oak Orchard Health are automatically enrolled in the program, from birth up to 5 years of age! In addition, some of the benefits of the program include enrollment in the WIC program and access to the Diaper Bank.

“As of the beginning of this year, 65 families were added to the WIC program who otherwise would not have had any way to get that service,” Dr. Renodin-Mead said.

Oak Orchard care managers are assigned to each mother to be evaluated for postpartum depression and anxiety, and then they are referred to one of our behavioral health counselors specializing in perinatal mental health.

“Mom’s mental health is so important to the whole family and we’re taking care of it in the early stages. Parents are very grateful for this service,” Govanlu said.

About Oak Orchard Health

Originally founded in 1973, Oak Orchard has grown from a migrant health project into an integrated health center with multiple locations providing health care services for everyone located in the communities we serve. Currently serving over 30,000 patients at twelve locations, Oak Orchard Health is a recognized patient-centered medical home and 501(c) nonprofit Federally Qualified Health Center located in the towns of Albion, Alexander, Batavia, Brockport, Corfu, Hornell, Lyndonville and Warsaw.