Healthy options available for mothers, moms-to-be

Nov. 10--Veronica Marshall joined a group of young moms, all Scranton School District students, at a community baby shower for new and expecting mothers.

There, the 17-year-old West Scranton High School student found "it's never too late to ask for help."

The Moms2B Baby Shower on Wednesday at the Salvation Army in Scranton was sponsored by health insurance company AmeriHealth Caritas Northeast's Bright Start Program, which is designed to improve prenatal care for pregnant members by promoting healthy behaviors and controlling risk factors during pregnancy.

Wednesday's event featured about 15 vendors that provided information about the different resources available to mothers and collaborated to build a healthier community, said Nancy Fahey, community outreach manager for AmeriHealth Caritas.

"A lot of people just don't know where to go for the services, so we bring them all under one roof," said Ms. Fahey.

Veronica was part of a group of teen moms who attended the baby shower.

They connected with the Penn State Extension, which provided information about healthy meals for children, a dentist who spoke to the mothers about child dental health and other community organizations including United Neighborhood Centers and St. Joseph's Center. They also connected with each other.

"When I was pregnant, I just moved to the school and I felt like it was only me," said Veronica, who has a 2-year-old son. At the baby shower, she met other teen moms while discovering all the maternal support available in the Scranton area.

"I know there's a lot of people out there willing to help," said Skyler Beacham, 15, mom to an 8-month-old daughter.

Wednesday was the first Moms2B Baby Shower in Scranton. Ms. Fahey said the company plans to hold four to five across the state next year.

For more information about the Bright Start Program, visit www.amerihealthcari

taspa.com.

Contact the writer: kbolus@timesshamrock.com, @kbolusTT on Twitter

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