Anita Beatty has been able to witness the growth and development of Christaiua Williams and her daughter Daylynn over the past two years. As a nurse with Care Ring North Carolina’s Nurse-Family Partnership program, Beatty connects expectant mothers with a nurse who visits them at home before and after their baby arrives, for up to two years. Through this program, mothers receive support during the beginning of their child’s life.
Beatty explains that her role is to provide education around health and support to mothers, teaching them how to advocate for what they need. As a single mom, Williams was overwhelmed and scared when she was expecting her daughter. However, through her biweekly visits with Beatty, Williams received counseling and coaching, learning everything she needed to know for her daughter’s wellbeing.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that Black women are three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than white women, with access to health care and structural racism playing a role. Beatty has seen this firsthand, which is why she continues her work through Care Ring. She finds it humbling to be able to provide something that mothers are in need of, even if they don’t always know what they need.
Care Ring is working towards expanding the Nurse-Family Partnership program across the greater Charlotte area, providing support to mothers until the child is 2 years old.