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Keeping Families Close

July 17, 2020 | VNA Staff | Story

Kelly Mackling and her Maternal Child team are an important link between hospitals and homes for newborns and their families. They’re dedicated to providing a smooth transition home and making sure that mothers are equipped with knowledge and support to take care of their newborns.

Kelly’s clients are referred to her from nurses and social workers due to physician-ordered nursing services. It’s a challenging time for these new mothers, so Kelly makes sure they are taught medically backed information and reassured that their instincts are valid. Much of that education focuses on feeding, recognizing normal infant behavior, general care and knowing when to call a physician.

Her team works with families from many different cultures. Each family has unique beliefs, values and experiences, and there are often communication barriers. Kelly has found that, after the first visit, her team can establish trust with these families and create understanding that they’re there to be of service. After 20 years of working with families, she’s even seen a few mothers who were once her baby clients.

Staying connected with partners, from physicians, social workers and nursing staff to family-focused agencies, is important to the success of Kelly’s work.

“Being involved with other organizations helps everyone be aware of what we do,” Kelly said. “So, if they have a client with a need, or personally know a family that needs assistance, they know they can reach out to VNA for help.”

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