Emergency Infant Services

Last updated
Emergency Infant Services
FoundedJanuary 1, 1977
FounderLinda Watts
Type Non-governmental organization
FocusHumanitarian
Location
Area served
Regional
MethodAid
Revenue
US$ $1,634,437 (2011) [1]
Endowment US$ $271,663.62 from the Tulsa Community Foundation
Employees
11
Volunteers
900
Website

Emergency Infant Services (EIS) is a nonprofit organization based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, focused on meeting the basic human needs of infants and children under five years old.

Contents

History

Emergency Infant Services was founded on January 1, 1977, by Linda Watts in the balcony of the Second Presbyterian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Noticing how unexpected circumstances made it temporarily impossible for families to make ends meet, she decided it was time to lend a helping hand. The goal from the beginning has always been to help prevent families from falling further into a poverty cycle by helping with their immediate needs such as formula, diapers, food, wipes, clothing, and car seats. Currently, over half of the EIS' clients use the services provided only once a year, showing the agency is indeed helping them in a time of extenuating difficult circumstances. It was not until 2012 that EIS recognized it was time to expand its services to a second location and opened a new location on the East Side of Tulsa. By 2017, it was serving 30% of the total number of children being served each year. With that success, it was decided to open a satellite location with diapers and formula at the South Tulsa Community Center and a second one at the Dream Center. Combined, those two locations serve nearly 400 children each year. [2] EIS has made it a mission to find partners in the Tulsa community to help support some of the long-term services clients need in addition to the short-term. The Blue Cross Blue Shield of Oklahoma provides free immunizations and other health services to families. Along with the Blue Cross Blue Shield, the Oklahoma Health Department and the Parent Child Center have also partnered with EIS to provide additional services to the community at large. [2]

Activities

EIS is a Tulsa charity that provides emergency support for families with children aged less than six years of age and are in crises or emergency situations, including unemployment or under-employment, illness or injury, spousal and/or child abandonment, and home losses due to natural disasters such as tornadoes, floods, or fires.

Eighty-five percent of those who use EIS’ services are the working poor: people struggling to make ends meet and occasionally needing "a hand up". [3]

To provide immediate access for needy parents, EIS does not require appointments, income qualification, or complex paperwork to be filled out.

Immediate and free services are provided for diapers & pull-ups, infant formula, children's & maternity clothing, medications, hygiene items, linens, cribs, and child safety seats. EIS also functions as a Tulsa food pantry for baby foods and toddler foods.

EIS assisted with the creation of infant crisis services in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Ft. Worth, Texas, and Houston, Texas. The Tulsa location assists over 1000 infants and toddlers each month. [4]

Over 900 volunteers in Tulsa support EIS. In 2011, EIS provided food, clothing, medical assistance, furniture, car seats, and social services to over 8,235 families with 13,723 infant children. [1] [5]

Fundraising consists of an endowment from the Tulsa Community Foundation, and fundraisers including "$35,000 in 35 days". [6] [7]

In 2016–2017, EIS served 10,075 families consisting of 18,805 children providing 690,545 diapers as well as 305,160 bottles of formula. [2]

Awards

Oklahoma non-profit Excellence Awards

Emergency Infant Services was a 2012 finalist for the Oklahoma non-profit Excellence Awards, sponsored by the Oklahoma Center for Non-Profits, [8] a nonprofit organization equipping and strengthening the Oklahoma nonprofit sector through training, consulting, advocacy, membership, networking, and awards. [9]

Champion of children's health

Emergency Infant Services was a 2011 finalist for Champion of Children's Health, sponsored by the Champions of Health organization, a program that "celebrates people and organizations that are making a positive impact on the health of Oklahoma citizens through innovative programs." [10]

In 2012, Emergency Infant Services won the Champion of Children's Health award. [11]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United States Department of Health and Human Services</span> Department of the US federal government

The United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is a cabinet-level executive branch department of the U.S. federal government created to protect the health of the U.S. people and providing essential human services. Its motto is "Improving the health, safety, and well-being of America". Before the separate federal Department of Education was created in 1979, it was called the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (HEW).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Infant formula</span> Manufactured food designed for feeding infants

Infant formula, also called baby formula, simply formula, baby milk or infant milk, is an ultra-processed food designed and marketed for feeding to babies and infants under 12 months of age, usually prepared for bottle-feeding or cup-feeding from powder or liquid. The U.S. Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) defines infant formula as "a food which purports to be or is represented for special dietary use solely as a food for infants by reason of its simulation of human milk or its suitability as a complete or partial substitute for human milk".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Infant</span> Very young offspring of humans

An infant or baby is the very young offspring of human beings. Infant is a formal or specialised synonym for the common term baby. The terms may also be used to refer to juveniles of other organisms. A newborn is, in colloquial use, an infant who is only hours, days, or up to one month old. In medical contexts, a newborn or neonate is an infant in the first 28 days after birth; the term applies to premature, full term, and postmature infants.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Baby food</span> Food made especially for infants

Baby food is any soft, easily consumed food other than breastmilk or infant formula that is made specifically for human babies between six months and two years old. The food comes in many varieties and flavors that are purchased ready-made from producers, or it may be table food eaten by the family that has been mashed or otherwise broken down.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Infant bed</span> Small bed for infants and very young children

An infant bed is a small bed especially for infants and very young children. Infant beds are a historically recent development intended to contain a child capable of standing. The cage-like design of infant beds restricts the child to the bed. Between one and two years of age, children are able to climb out and are moved to a toddler bed to prevent an injurious fall while escaping the bed.

The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is the global humanitarian aid and development organization of the United Methodist Church (UMC). UMCOR is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization operated under the auspices of the General Board of Global Ministries. One hundred percent of donations are directed to an earmarked project or relief effort. Administrative expenses are funded by an annual offering collected by United Methodist churches on UMCOR Sunday.

Tomchei Shabbos is the name for several Jewish charities in different communities, which are not all affiliated with one another. The Hebrew name means "supporters of the Sabbath." Thus, the charity's mission is to provide food and other supplies so that poor Jews can celebrate the Sabbath and the Jewish holidays.

Martha's Table is a non-profit organization, an active charity and volunteer center in the Washington, D.C., area.

UNICEF, originally called the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund in full, now officially United Nations Children's Fund, is an agency of the United Nations responsible for providing humanitarian and developmental aid to children worldwide. The organization is one of the most widely known and visible social welfare entities globally, operating in 192 countries and territories. UNICEF's activities include providing immunizations and disease prevention, administering treatment for children and mothers with HIV, enhancing childhood and maternal nutrition, improving sanitation, promoting education, and providing emergency relief in response to disasters.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Extended breastfeeding</span> Defined as after age 12–24 months

In Western countries extended breastfeeding usually means breastfeeding after the age of 12 to 24 months, depending on the culture.

Meet Each Need with Dignity (MEND) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization serving the northeast San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles, California.

Infant feeding is the practice of feeding infants. Breast milk provides the best nutrition when compared to infant formula. Infants are usually introduced to solid foods at around four to six months of age.

Convoy of Hope is an American faith-based nonprofit humanitarian and disaster relief organization that provides food, supplies, and humanitarian services to impoverished or otherwise needy populations throughout the world. The organization also engages in disaster relief work. It was founded in 1994 by Hal, Steve, and Dave Donaldson in Sacramento, California, later moved its headquartered to its currently place in Springfield, Missouri, and is associated with the Assemblies of God and its Chi Alpha campus ministries and fellowships.

Marcia Mitchell is the founder of Little Light House, a faith-based mission to assist children with a wide range of developmental disabilities including autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy. The program is not only a facility for students, but also serves as a training ground for professionals and volunteers throughout the United States and other countries who are learning to reach out to special needs children in their communities. Mitchell continues to serve as CEO of the Little Light House and published a book on her journey, Milestones and Miracles. Mitchell was inducted into the Oklahoma Women's Hall of Fame in 2011.

Diaper need is the struggle to provide a sufficient number of clean diapers to ensure that each diaper user can be changed out of wet or soiled diapers as often as necessary. An adequate supply of diapers is a basic need for all infants, as necessary for health and well-being as food and shelter. Adults and older children experiencing incontinence may also suffer from diaper need if they or their caretakers cannot acquire an adequate supply.

The National Diaper Bank Network is a United States-based non-profit organization that is dedicated to ensuring that every child in the U.S. has an adequate supply of diapers to remain clean, dry and healthy. NDBN is a nationwide network of independently operating diaper banks and pantries that collect and distribute over 30 million diapers for children experiencing diaper need.

Mercy-USA for Aid and Development, is a humanitarian-aid organization with main offices in Plymouth, Michigan. It is registered under 501(c)(3) as a non-profit charity organization According to its website, Mercy-USA is "dedicated to alleviating human suffering and supporting individuals and their communities in their efforts to become more self-sufficient". Incorporated in the State of Michigan in 1988, Mercy-USA's projects focus on improving health, nutrition and access to safe water, as well as promoting economic and educational growth around the world. Mercy-USA has developed projects in many countries including Kenya, Albania, Lebanon, Syria and Somalia.

Infant and toddler safety are those actions and modifications put into place to keep babies and toddlers safe from accidental injury and death. Many accidents, injuries and deaths are preventable.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Infant food safety</span>

Foodborne illness is any illness resulting from the food spoilage of contaminated food, pathogenic bacteria, viruses, or parasites that contaminate food. Infant food safety is the identification of risky food handling practices and the prevention of illness in infants. Foodborne illness is a serious health issue, especially for babies and children. Infants and young children are particularly vulnerable to foodborne illness because their immune systems are not developed enough to fight off foodborne bacterial infections. In fact, 800,000 illnesses affect children under the age of 10 in the U.S. each year. Therefore, extra care should be taken when handling and preparing their food.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Social services and homelessness in Columbus, Ohio</span> Aspects of support for low-income and homeless residents of Columbus, Ohio

Columbus, the capital city of Ohio, has a history of social services to provide for low- and no-income residents. The city has many neighborhoods below the poverty line, and has experienced a rise in homelessness in recent decades. Social services include cash- and housing-related assistance, case management, treatment for mental health and substance abuse, and legal and budget/credit assistance.

References

  1. 1 2 [ dead link ]
  2. 1 2 3 "2016-2017 Annual Report". Eistulsa.org. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
  3. "Lunch with Tom Taylor". Tulsapeople.com. 21 February 2012. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
  4. "Who We Are". Eistulsa.org. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
  5. [ dead link ]
  6. Ely, Charles (25 January 2012). "Helping Tulsa's Infants For 35 Years". Ktul.com. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
  7. "Video Landing Page". Newson6.com. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
  8. "About Us". 1 July 2012. Archived from the original on 1 July 2012. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
  9. "Know Your World | Tulsa World". Archived from the original on 2012-06-25. Retrieved 2012-03-12.
  10. "Champions of Health - Past Winners - 2011 Winners". Championsofhealth.org. Archived from the original on 29 December 2018. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
  11. "Champions of Health - 2012 'Champions of Health' Winners Announced". Championsofhealth.org. Retrieved 29 December 2018.