New Born Follow-Up
Newborn Follow-up (NBFU) is a program provided by Russell Child Development Center in partnership with its tiny-k Early Intervention Program.
RCDC’s Early Intervention Nurse maintains affiliate status allowing direct, daily, on-floor contact with patients in the Newborn Intensive Care Unit at St. Catherine Hospital in Garden City. Similar services are offered at Kearny County Hospital in Lakin and Southwest Medical Center in Liberal.
The NBFU Nurse:
· Is available for in-hospital consultations
· Consults with families about feeding difficulties
· Assists in planning hospital-to-home transitions
· Provides follow-up depending on child and family needs
The Newborn Follow-up program with RCDC is highly valued by pediatricians and nurses in the area as well as by regional hospitals, for providing accessible, flexible, and timely responses to immediate and unexpected needs.
Services are provided at no cost to families. Funding is provided by local, state, and federal sources through Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. (I.D.E.A.)
NBFU Service Area
Next to feeding, parents worry most about their baby's development. If your baby was born prematurely, had a difficult start, spent time in a NICU, or has a chronic condition or disability, you may be especially concerned about your child's growth and development.
We Can Help.
RCDC provides a unique service for Southwest Kansas families with at-risk newborns.
Established contacts with high-level Newborn Intensive Care Units (NICUs) in Wichita and Kansas City ensure infants coming home after receiving specialized care have seamless transition support from RCDC’s Registered Nurses. Local partnerships with St. Catherine Hospital in Garden City, Kearny County Hospital in Lakin, and Southwest Medical Center in Liberal offer direct, in-hospital contact with families and their newborns prior to dismissal to answer questions, consult about feeding difficulties, assist in planning hospital-to-home transitions for babies with medical or other significant needs, provide reassurance about challenges, and offer appropriate no-cost, home-based services.
In addition to the tiny-k Newborn Follow-up program described above, RCDC also sponsors the Growing Together program, providing early education and parenting support, beginning prenatally, with no eligibility requirements.
RCDC ensures every family has access to the resources needed to provide a healthy, nurturing environment for their child.
Who will provide these services?
Your baby’s development will be monitored by the NBFU Nurse and a team of professionals who will work collaboratively with your child’s doctor to provide support for things such as your baby’s nutrition, physical development, vision, hearing, and interactions with others.
Our staff consists of experienced Registered Nurses, Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Speech/Language Pathologists, Early Intervention Teachers, and Social Workers. They will provide you with valuable information on a variety of topics that relate to your baby’s development.
“Having a knowledgeable and compassionate professional at my hospital room door when I was feeling frightened and overwhelmed was a tremendous relief.”
— Southwest Kansas Parent
