A Safe Start for Every Newborn: The Beth Reinhart Charitable Trust’s Support for Family Connections

For new parents, bringing a baby home from the hospital should be a moment of pure joy—but for some families in northern Iowa, the journey home presents an immediate challenge. Without a car seat, a newborn can’t be discharged safely, leaving families in difficult situations. Thanks to a generous $2,000 grant from the Beth Reinhart Charitable Trust, MercyOne North Iowa’s Family Connections program will ensure every baby has a safe ride home and a strong start in life.

Family Connections serves as a guiding hand for new parents, providing essential education and resources from pregnancy through a child’s fifth birthday. With nearly 600 newborns delivered annually at MercyOne North Iowa, the need is great—especially in the rural communities we serve where access to early childhood support is limited. The program’s impact extends beyond car seats, helping families secure safe childcare, baby-proof their homes and navigate the challenges of early parenthood.

In a region where 14% of the population experiences homelessness and many families face barriers to transportation and medical care, this funding will make a tangible difference. It will help prevent gaps in postpartum support, promote child safety and contribute to long-term well-being for both parents and their children.

“In our community, a car seat is more than just a safety measure—it’s a necessity that allows parents to bring their newborn home and access critical medical care in those first few months of life,” says Chelsie Hinton, Family Connections Coordinator. “This funding ensures that every baby, regardless of their family’s financial situation, has a safe start from day one.”

The MercyOne North Iowa Birth Center focuses on ensuring top-tier clinical care for every patient, fostering a supportive and caring environment for newborns and their families. The birth center offers the area’s only Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), expert care teams and advanced medical care.

With the support of the Beth Reinhart Charitable Trust, MercyOne North Iowa’s Family Connections program and the MercyOne North Iowa Birth Center will continue transforming lives—one family, one newborn and one safe ride home at a time.

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