Improve lives of at-risk moms & babies in the USA

More than 650,000 Medicaid-eligible women give birth for the first time each year.  This transition to motherhood can be particularly challenging for low-income, first-time mothers. Many are socially isolated or are experiencing severe adversity and nurse home visits can prove extremely helpful. 

Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) serves 22,000 families in 32 states.  NFP nurses focus on low-income, first-time mothers—a vulnerable population segment that sometimes has limited access to good parenting role-models.   The expertise and experience that specially-trained registered nurses bring to this intervention is key in gaining the confidence of a new mother. A nurse’s expertise helps guide first-time mothers through the emotional, social and physical challenges they face as they prepare for a healthy birth. Prenatal support is the starting point, but the nurse continues to serve her client after she delivers her child, teaching parenting and life skills that foster positive growth for both mother and child.  

NFP helps break the cycle of poverty—empowered, confident mothers become knowledgeable parents who are able to prepare their children for successful futures.  More than 30 years of research from randomized, controlled trials conducted in three diverse settings demonstrate that when first-time mothers receive the guidance and support they need, both mother and child benefit.  Examples of specific outcomes include:

•  48% reduction in child abuse and neglect
•  56% reduction in emergency room visits for accidents and poisonings
• 32% reduction in subsequent pregnancies
•  67% reduction in behavioral and intellectual problems at child age six
• 59% reduction in arrests at child age 15 and
• 83% increase in labor force participation

   

Links:

• Nurse-Family Partnership is rated tops by independent groups