Beltrami County Public Health Doubles Perinatal Home Visits

Left to right: Amy Bowles, Karla Eischens, Kari Josefson, US Senator Tina Smith, Dr. Nynas, Susan Ninham, Lisa Johnson
Left to right: Amy Bowles, Karla Eischens, Kari Josefson, US Senator Tina Smith, Dr. Nynas, Susan Ninham, Lisa Johnson

Bemidji, MN – On August 17th, 2023 Beltrami County Health and Human Services participated in a roundtable discussion at Sanford Health with US Senator Tina Smith. The roundtable discussion concentrated on maternal health. Beltrami County shared their success in enhancing the lives of families through a Rural Maternity and Obstetrics Management Strategies (RMOMS) Program grant. The grant supports the Family First Collaborative between Sanford Health, Beltrami County Public Health, Red Lake and Cass Lake Indian Health Service.

Beltrami County Public Health's goal was to complete 75 home visits in 2023 under the grant. Not only did they meet this goal, they doubled their home visits. Being a member of this collaborative has decreased barriers for home visiting staff, often experienced because of grant or curriculum requirements. The RMOMS program supports addressing health disparities to promote equitable health care for the perinatal population in Beltrami County.

Back Row and left to right: Anne Lindseth, HHS Director; Monica Thul, Family Health Clinic Manager; Sheila Johnson, Registered Dietitian; Dorothy Walton, Public Health Nurse; Barb Anderson, Family Health Tech; Angel Soli, Family Health Tech, Eve Lavrenz, Family Health Tech. Front Row and left to right: Amy Bowles, Public Health Director; Morgan Burlingame, Public Health Nurse; Miranda Carlson, Public Health Nurse, Katie Smith, Public Health Social Worker; Alyssa Peterson, Registered Dietitian.
Back Row and left to right: Anne Lindseth, HHS Director; Monica Thul, Family Health Clinic Manager; Sheila Johnson, Registered Dietitian; Dorothy Walton, Public Health Nurse; Barb Anderson, Family Health Tech; Angel Soli, Family Health Tech, Eve Lavrenz, Family Health Tech. Front Row and left to right: Amy Bowles, Public Health Director; Morgan Burlingame, Public Health Nurse; Miranda Carlson, Public Health Nurse, Katie Smith, Public Health Social Worker; Alyssa Peterson, Registered Dietitian.

In addition to perinatal, mental, physical and home need assessments and education, the grant allows the Family Health Clinic staff to provide bottles, books, wipes, diapers, strollers, tummy time matts, breastfeeding supplies and in-home breastfeeding support by one of the registered dieticians. Beltrami County Public Health Director Amy Bowles said, "These are significant accomplishments, and I am proud of the work of our staff. Doubling the number of home visits have improved the parenting experience for many families in Beltrami County."

View Full Article

This information is courtousy of