Information aplenty for new, expectant parents

SAFFORD - If there was any doubt that there aren't enough services available to new families in Graham County, the Community Baby Shower event hosted by Safford City-Graham County Public Library proved otherwise.

About 15 vendors manned booths at the event, showering expectant and new parents with information about services available in the community.

Imagination Library Coordinator Cami Rhinehart explains what the library has to offer to children and new and expectant parents.

"My overall impression of the Community Baby Shower was that it was a fun, energetic and informational event," said parent Araceli Cuiriz. "I was able to educate myself with information about the different resources available in the community for my son, as well as for me as a mother. The information I obtained was definitely the information I wished I had before having my baby."

Child and Family Resources was also there, to detail services it provides, such as home visitation for early childhood development. That's when counselors go to the home and help new parents in development of their children.

The library's early literacy coordinator, Retha Russell, spearheaded the event. She said that, in addition to regular events for new parents, such as story times, the library partners with First Things First and the Dolly Parton Imagination Library to help parents develop early literacy.

Early Head Start was on hand to offer services to families with children age birth to 3; Gila Valley Clinic offered prenatal and birthing services; and participants had the chance to talk with Dr. Harrison, an obstetrician and gynecologist. Additionally, there was a doula, Salina Szady, from The Nurtured Nest, who coaches mothers during delivery birth.

"Szady also does a service called placenta encapsulation, where they take the placenta after the baby is born. It has got super high nutrients in it. They say it is good to help mothers with postpartum symptoms," Russell said.

The program room of the Safford City-Graham County Public Library was packed with organizations ready to share information about services available to new and expectant parents during the Community Baby Shower on March 31.

Graham County Health Department provided well-baby checks and encouraged young parents to maintain regular medical visits and keep the child's immunizations up-to-date.

Graham County WIC (Women Infant and Children) Program was there, too. WIC is designed to serve certain categories of women, infants, and children. Also on hand were Dynamite Therapy, Mt. Graham Safe House, Safford Lions Club and Gila Valley Baby Wearing.

"I was able to sign up for more information on Early Childhood Education for my son, which I am very excited about," Cuiriz said. "I was also very surprised to find out that we have doula and midwife services, as well as placenta encapsulation here in the Valley. The eye screening (by the Lions Club) for babies was new for me. My son being 8 months could have his eyes checked, and I was very impressed at how fast and easy it was."

About 100 adults and 59 children attended event.