UM-Flint receives $50K grant from the Priority Health Total Health Foundation to support students, new mothers

The University of Michigan-Flint recently received a $50,000 grant from the Priority Health Total Health Foundation supporting two initiatives that benefit current students in need and new moms in the greater Flint community. 

The grant is split equally between Wolverine Essentials, a one-stop location for UM-Flint students to access basic needs, services and resources, and the New Mother Education program, which provides education on infant development and maternal health.

According to Eamon Harnois, program officer for the foundation, both initiatives are a natural fit for PHTHF to support. 

"PHTHF was created to support nonprofits in southeast Michigan addressing the social determinants of health," Harnois said. "We are pleased to show up for the city of Flint through the work of UM-Flint and its Wolverine Essentials and New Mother Education programs. Our mission is to continue to support and advocate for the underserved in all of southeast Michigan."

The New Mother Education program is part of the College of Health Science's Health Equity, Action, Research, and Teaching, or HEART, clinic, a pro bono collaboration between students, faculty and the community. This program, which is currently under development, aims to alleviate the stress put on new mothers by providing educational services under the supervision of CHS students and faculty. Through six-week courses offered throughout the year, UM-Flint health care leaders will teach participants about infant developmental milestones, best practices for feeding, early childhood education and literacy, and more.

"Working with the community is a vital part of health education at UM-Flint," said Lindsay Marquardt, clinical assistant professor of physical therapy and faculty lead for the program. "As health care providers, we serve the community members. By working with other organizations in the community, we can ensure that our program is tailored to the specific needs of our stakeholders." 

The program plans to begin recruiting participants this summer, with its first cohort starting in early fall. "Our first planned community event, where we are hoping to meet current and expecting mothers, is at St. Luke's NEW Life Center community baby shower, which will be held in May," Marquardt said.

This developing initiative complements existing programs like the School of Nursing's NurtureFirst program, in which nursing students visit Hurley Medical Center weekly to provide parents with written instructions, printed materials, and a package of supplies suited for newborns, including swaddles, pacifiers, and other essentials.

The PHTHF grant also supports students with its contribution to Wolverine Essentials. Originally named the Wolverine Food Den, the resource expanded in 2022 to provide students with pantry goods, clothing and personal hygiene products, in addition to offering connections to a host of other resources and services related to housing, transportation, and health and wellness. According to Anthony Webster Jr., assistant dean of students, Wolverine Essentials will use the grant to expand its operations by hiring new staff for extended hours, a larger refrigerator, and new inventory management systems, as well as the creation of an emergency fund to assist students with unexpected medical expenses.

"This funding represents an opportunity for UM-Flint to broaden resources and education to students and community members," said Sara Barton, UM-Flint corporate and foundation relations associate director. "With support from PHTHF, we can expand the offerings of Wolverine Essentials that will help ensure every student has an equal chance to succeed, both academically and personally, as well as expand our opportunities to work side-by-side with our community to create the best outcomes for Flint families."

More information about Wolverine Essentials and HEART can be found online.