Womens Bay from the lookout at the top of Marine Hill, Kodiak Island, Alaska
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible to participate in KINDNESS?
Although we KINDNESS primarily operates on Kodiak Island, Alaska, any family with a baby under one year of age, regardless of where they were born, is eligible for KINDNESS services.
How is KINDNESS funded?
KINDNESS receives most of our funding through grants. We also recieve individual and corporate donations and hold community fundraising events, and forge profit-sharing agreements with local Kodiak businesses. If you have the means, you can donate here! A donation to KINDNESS goes a long way to help many families – please encourage your baby’s grandparents or relatives to donate too – it makes a great baby shower gift!
How much does KINDNESS cost me?
KINDNESS services are free. We do not charge you or bill your health insurance.
When and how did Kodiak KINDNESS start?
KINDNESS was founded in 2006 by Kodiak mom, Heather Preece. Heather is a pediatric dietitian and lactation consultant, and despite having a professional background in helping moms and babies, she needed help feeding her own first baby in 2000. A kind neighbor with three children and experience of her own helped Heather late one evening when things were not going well. Heather felt strongly that every parent deserves trustworthy support for infant feeding, and saw a need in Kodiak. She spent several years researching and designing the KINDNESS Program, and launched it with startup funding from the Alaska Children’s Miracle Network. KINDNESS operated on grants and under the generous support of Providence Health and Services until 2021, until it became strong enough to operate independently as its own nonprofit entity. Heather remains active with the KINDNESS Project as its executive director and continues to provide direct services to families, which is her life’s passion.
What kind of results has KINDNESS shown?
KINDNESS has achieved some impressive results in overall feeding trends among participants. By providing timely, compassionate and evidence-based support to help families meet their goals, the exclusive breastfeeding rate at the six month milestone among KINDNESS participants is 53.3%. This exceeds the State of Alaska rate of 42% and the U.S. national rate of 24.9% at the same milestone. At the one-year milestone, 54.6% of KINDNESS participants are still breastfeeding and 42% never used formula during their baby’s entire first year. Click here to read an article published in the fall of 2019 in the journal Clinical Lactation for more details on the KINDNESS history, staffing, funding, operations, and program results.
What if I don't need KINDNESS services any longer or I want to drop out?
No problem. We don’t want to burden you with phone calls and emails that you don’t want or need. Simply call or text us or contact us via email and we’ll take you out of our program. We like to keep some non-identifying information with your permission for our program reports and tracking infant feeding trends, but if you prefer we will remove all your information from our database at your request.
What if my baby needs help that KINDNESS can't give?
If your baby has needs outside our scope, or you have questions that we can’t answer, we can refer you to someone who can help. KINDNESS has an excellent working relationship with all of the family medical clinics and the hospital in Kodiak, as well as other community programs, such as the Infant Learning Program, WIC, the women’s shelter, various community groups for families with young children, daycare centers, the US Coast Guard, public health nursing, and others. Kodiak is a wonderful, healthy place to raise children. We have you covered!
What if I move away from Kodiak before my baby "graduates" from KINDNESS?
We are happy to continue providing support even after you leave Kodiak, until you have found similar resources in your new community. We get calls from all over the country, including from families who had a baby on Kodiak and moved away, or even years later, about a child born after they moved. We are here for you – just call or text us and we’ll do our best to help you out no matter where you are.
How do I enroll in KINDNESS?
You will be offered enrollment if you deliver your baby at Providence Kodiak Island Medical Center. You can pre-register for KINDNESS before your baby is born through your Kodiak clinic or provider, or if you attend a Newborn Feeding Class at PKIMC. If you deliver at home or elsewhere, please call or text us or contact us via email and we’ll get you set up!
Where is KINDNESS located?
KINDNESS operates in the island community of Kodiak, Alaska. We keep our program costs down by not renting office space. So… we actually don’t have a physical office! We will call you and visit you in your own home, provide services jointly with your clinic, or meet you wherever you are comfortable doing so.
How many families does KINDNESS serve?
KINDNESS enrolls 100 – 150 families every year; between 2006 and 2020, we served over 2500 families. About 88% of families who deliver at Providence Kodiak Island Medical Center enroll in KINDNESS, and we work with community partners, such as the Kodiak WIC Program, local midwives, the US Coast Guard, and the Providence Alaska Medical Center NICU to offer enrollment to families who delivered their babies elsewhere. Because Kodiak is small community with a relatively low number of births, KINDNESS can provide this very comprehensive program to meet the specific needs of every family throughout the whole first year of your baby’s life (and sometimes longer if you need us!).
What do others say about KINDNESS?
Read our testimonials to learn about some of our participants and how they feel about the KINDNESS Project. KINDNESS is truly unique in that we offer a caring relationship with our participant families… not just services. We truly get to know you – the same KINDNESS staff member often follows your family throughout your KINDNESS journey, and we love watching your baby’s growth and development throughout their first year. Every baby is different, and at the core of it all, we are simply a caring group of moms dedicated to helping other moms. One-fifth of our families have participated in KINDNESS with more than one child, some even their third and fourth child! KINDNESS has won several awards for innovative program design, and been highlighted in various health care publications. See our “pride page“ for details!
How does KINDNESS use my information and keep it safe?
The KINDNESS Project treats your information with respect and utmost security. We comply with HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act). We do not share your information with anyone without your permission, including other health care providers, companies, or individuals for any purpose. We only collect the minimum information needed to provide you with services. Please read our Privacy Policy for full details. We keep your information in a secured database that only vetted KINDNESS staff and volunteers have access to. We use your data in a non-identifying way to track infant feeding trends and for program improvement purposes. For example, we may combine your information with other participants to report infant feeding statistics, see how many families are attending our classes or borrowing breast pumps (and for how long). We are required by law to report concerns of child abuse and neglect to appropriate authorities and if we have reason to believe you are at risk of harm to yourself or your baby.
How do I get a tax receipt for my donation?
When you donate online, your tax receipt will be emailed to you immediately. When you donate by mail, we will mail you a paper receipt within 30 days of receiving your donation. If you need a receipt re-sent, simply contact us!