Julie Peden has worked as a registered nurse for 25 years in multiple settings, including the emergency room, intensive care unit, cardiac rehab and dialysis. But her current role serving foster children through is one of the most rewarding yet.
As a care manager for foster youth, Peden draws from the skills she has developed through the years to help her young patients, who make up one of the most vulnerable populations in the United States.
“Everything has added up to this,†Peden said. “There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t get to use something I’ve learned to help someone. And that is the best reward in life.â€
A recent example: a teen who came into foster care was scared and experiencing a high-risk pregnancy. She was paired with Peden as her care manager through Home State Health, a subsidiary of Centene Corp. that provides managed health care for many of the more than in Missouri.
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Peden said the father of the baby was not involved, and though the teen had a supportive foster care guardian, she had lots of questions, many of which she was too embarrassed to ask.
Peden is experienced in working with pregnant teens and was able to build a trusting relationship with the teen. She connected her with resources for pregnant and new moms, helped coordinate her medical appointments and mental health care, and supported her as she progressed through her pregnancy and learned how to be a mother.
“I was completely impressed with how well she managed her life, raising the baby and going to school,†Peden said. “This is absolutely why I do what I do. These are the stories I will always remember, and I think about her often. I did help her get the mental health help she needed. I did give her support and the tools she needed to be a successful teen mom. But I will always believe she is the actual champion."
Peden’s caseload ranges from birth to age 25, all at greater risk for mental and physical complications because of instability or trauma in their lives.
Some are teens who need resources for independent living, such as how to establish a medical or dental provider or how to obtain a Social Security card.
Others need help to learn how to take care of babies, from nutrition to breastfeeding, education and parenting.
“Home State and offer so many great resources to members to have a healthy baby,†Peden said. Those resources include transportation to medical appointments, meals delivered to their home, a list of places that supply clothing to kids in foster care, even a rewards system that builds points for money to spend at retailers for items moms or babies need.
“I love this job,†Peden said. “I think all of us nurses have hearts that just want to help people. This is one of the neediest populations and I’m glad to be able to connect with them. It’s challenging — a little bit of everything — but that’s what I love about it.â€