NURSE-FAMILY PARTNERSHIP
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June 30, 2012
As a concerned citizen, I’ve long been aware of the devastating negative effects of poverty on the psychosocial wellbeing of a person’s life. But also as a psychotherapist in practice for over 30 years, I’ve become particularly aware of the impact of the early environment on a child’s emotional and intellectual development. Recent research has confirmed that the architecture of an infant’s brain begins important formation in the womb and in the early years of a child’s life. (http://developingchild.harvard.edu/). How can every child, even those without resources, reach his or her full potential? What could I do to help?
In 2006, I read an article in The New Yorker called “Swamp Nurse”. It described how Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) offered to low-income first-time mothers in Louisiana an opportunity to work with a specially trained nurse home visitor from early in her pregnancy until the child’s second birthday. Beginning in the early 1970s, Dr. David Olds initiated the development of a nurse home visitation program for first-time mothers and their children. Over the next three decades, he and his colleagues continued to test the program in three separate, randomized, controlled trials with three different populations in Elmira, New York, Memphis, Tennessee and Denver, Colorado before the program was offered for replication. Dr. Olds and his research team documented evidenced-based outcomes that demonstrated how the relationship between the new mother and her nurse measurably improved long-term the lives of the at-risk moms and children. Today, there are NFP programs in 40 states, and Dr. Olds continues his longitudinal research from the trials, which continue to demonstrate positive impacts decades later.
I was impressed and three years ago, approached Nurse-Family Partnership about setting up a site in Eastern Long Island where I live part-time. The passion, intelligence and efficacy of the staff are extraordinary and some day, a NFP site may exist there. Meanwhile, I have become acquainted with the dedicated work of New York City Nurse-Family Partnership, which is sponsored by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and have been invited to serve on their Community Advisory Board. One of the NYC NFP sites, the Targeted Citywide Initiative, provides a nurse and a mental health clinician for teens in foster care, women living in homeless shelters, and incarcerated women incarcerated women at Riker’s Island Correctional Facility. These young parents have the opportunity to meet monthly as a group with their NFP team.
Nurse-Family Partnership is an intervention that provides a first-time at-risk pregnant woman with the tools to help her build her own life as well as a positive relationship with her child. The changes brought about by the relationship of the new mother with her nurse are intergenerational! I feel passionate about how NFP makes a difference in the lives of our most vulnerable youngsters and has the potential to begin to interrupt the cycle of poverty. It needs our support.
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Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
Life-changing
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
June 29, 2012
I was so impressed by the impact that the Nurse-Family Partnership model has in improving young children's health, early learning, and general well-being, in addition to parents' economic development and sense of self-worth, that I am pursuing nursing school specifically in order to join this movement. // I worked with one of the nurse home visitors on an infant and toddler brief for policymakers in Colorado. She entered the home visiting field with interests in maternal/child health but the NFP model had given her such a holistic way to think about supporting families of young children through policy, and her thoughtfulness massively enriched our work.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
I would encourage the implementing agencies to use the Nurse-Family Partnership careers page as a central clearinghouse for job opportunity information. I think that some of the agencies do recruiting for their positions directly and do not post on the NFP main site, which would be helpful for people seeking to join in their work.
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Will you volunteer or donate to this organization?
Definitely
How much of an impact do you think this organization has?
Life-changing
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
How did you learn about this organization?
I collaborated with a Nurse-Family Partnership nurse home visitor on an infant and toddler policy brief, and also heard about NFP during a presentation on home visiting by a representative from Invest In Kids. I have noticed several mainstream media outlets such as the NY Times extolling the virtues of this program, and looked more into the research via The Coalition for Evidence-Based Policy. In short, I don't know exactly when I first heard about NFP (perhaps when it was first a GiveWell top-rated charity) but the more research I read about it and the more personal stories I hear, I become more dedicated to pursuing a career as a NFP nurse home visitor.
June 27, 2012
The Nurse Family Partnership it the must have resource for any woman moving from solo life to becoming a mother. I joined this program because I needed help with myself so I could be a good mommy. My nurse helped me organized my life and thoughts. I appreciate her standing by me through the difficult time of transition. I am proud to say that I am loving mom. I cherish & enjoy my family and I find my life is now full of new & fun rewards.
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How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
Life-changing
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
Definitely
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Very Well
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
June 27, 2012
i became part of the program in2007. my sister was part of it in 2004. i love this program. it made such an important, positive impact on my life. i will never forget my nurse or the wonderful things she did for me and my family. she was a tremendous support system for me. Brenda was my only friend for a long time. my nurse was always there for me, she even offered to be there with me, in the hospital, while i was having my second child, which meant an awful lot because that was a hard, hard time in my life. and i glady would have had her by my side if she did not have to work that day.she brought me diapers and baby clothes when i was in need.it was so wonderful to be reassured that i was doing a good job as a mom, to know that my kid(s) are on track with thier development. its a program that should be offered everywhere.i cant imagine a better nonprofit. its amazing. i wish i was still able to be a part of it. i miss her dearly and still text her when i need advice or have a question about my kids health. she is amazing and i am thrilled to have been a part of this. i tell everyone about Nurse-family partnership, everywhere i go. they definatly deserve an award
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How would you describe the help you got from this organization?
Life-changing
How likely are you to recommend this organization to a friend?
Definitely
How do you feel you were treated by this organization?
Very Well
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2009
June 21, 2012
As a director of a private foundation, the fact that Nurse-Family Partnership is an "evidence based" organization is a huge factor in making grant decisions. Furthermore, because NFP addresses a core problem which gives rise to so many other societal issues, any grant gets great leverage. I would encourage any foundation to consider NFP as a grant recipient, if its program falls within the scope of the foundation's guidelines
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Was your donation impactful?
Definitely
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
Definitely
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
June 20, 2012
I enjoy volunteering my time to Nurse-Family Partnership. I'm retired and the well organized projects I've helped with keep my mind and my fingers agile!
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Would you volunteer for this group again?
Definitely
For the time you spent, how much of an impact did you feel your work or activity had?
A lot
Did the organization use your time wisely?
Very Well
Would you recommend this group to a friend?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2012
How did this volunteer experience make you feel?
My experience make me feel useful.
My Role: Professional with expertise in this field & I have advocated within the community for improved services for vulnerable first-time families. Our local implemtneing agency developed a clinical protocol to improve breastfeeding outcomes among our vulnerable mothers.
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May 14, 2011
This is a personal reflection in review of the impact that Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) is having on the Art and Science of Nursing in serving vulnerable first-time families. As a registered nurse in the community for more than 20 years, I can personally proclaim that the Nurse-Family Partnership program is improving the lives of vulnerable first-time families across large and small needy communities. It is an Evidence Based Community Health Program of more than 30 years, that has demonstrated mastery of combing the science of knowing with the science of caring. Integrating health and psychosocial indicators in working with vulnerable populations is critical for providers of services across health and human services nationwide.
Imagine, that many first time families do not plan their first child; many are unstable, unsupported, hopeless and lost in family and community systems combined. Many Public Policy makers have often said that true cause-and-effect relationships of this nature are difficult to establish. I can only say to stakeholders, that the time has come to simply look, listen and measure the impacts of NFP on vulnerable families across our communities. Nurses integrate the science of knowing how to improve health and well-being for first-time families along with the art of caring for vulnerable families across a 2 year period. Utilizing a therapeutic relationship that invests a wide array of resources to improve the lives of needy individual families and their first child defines the goal of each implementing agency.
Fragile families in our community are now seeking healthier lifestyles, finding more stable living conditions, finishing school, seeking careers and most importantly committing to becoming competent and caring parents. One at a time, young mothers are praised for making healthy choices to support a healthier pregnancy outcome. New parents are given "how to" guidance in caring for newborns. Others are assisted thru the maze of community services to assure they maximize available resources, thus providing a two-year safety net is in place for them and their babies. Relationships among broken families are strengthened and fathers are encouraged to be invested in caring for their child as well.
The sense of “hopelessness” observed first hand by each nurse home visitor transforms into “hopefulness” for a better future among each family served by NFP. The NFP program is one society can count on for making a difference in the lives of vulnerable families across communities of high need. Nurses are committed to building stronger families which translate into strong communities that are better able to overcome barriers. The urgency of family-well being is critical to the fabric of our society.
In observing maternal deprivation, hurt, loss and suffering among young, ill-prepared first-time parents, we are challenged in our community to advocate for on-going Public and local supports for vulnerable families. Nurse home visitors are the back bone for improving family well-being thru transformational change. We have each one become an advocate in the community for vulnerable families. In the process, intensive efforts are made to improve the health, development, relationship and self-efficacy capacity of each family served.
Each client success is a silent one, until such time we resonate ways to acknowledge that there is a true measure for cause-and- effect among effective and promising programs like the Nurse-Family Partnership. Each family has a deserving capacity to be touched by the Art and Science of Nurse- Family Partnership. Funders can be assured and count on the NFP program to continue to transform vulnerable families into resilient ones… one family at a time.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I have grown as a professional nurse to better appreciate the Art & Science of Nursing in the Community while serving a vulnerable population.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
I would advocate further for Public policy, that assures this safety net is in place for many more vulnerable families in high need communities.
1 person found this review helpful
May 3, 2011
1 person found this review helpful
I came upon NFP 3 several years ago as master's prepared nurse with many years of experience in women's health. I was hired as a supervisor in a site that was establishing this wonderful program. Coming in to this program in the infancy stages, I have helped establish this program in our community. It brings such joy and sense of accomplishment to see the growth of these young women that we serve, as well as the positive feed back receive from the community. To witness the growth of our clients is very rewarding. Many clients verbalize that they wouldn't have had the successes if it weren't for their nurses. To see these young moms celebrate their own small successes and develop into warm ,nurturing parents is truly rewarding. The committment they demonstrate to the program and to their nurses is inspiring. I am very proud and honored to be a pat of NFP and the lives of the mothers we have served and hopefully continue to serve in the future.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
As someone that implements the program and works with the nurses and clients, I have seen how the Nurse-Family Partnership program benefits our moms on a daily basis.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
I would make it accessable not only for first-time moms but for other women as well.
1 person found this review helpful
March 3, 2011
1 person found this review helpful
I am one of the nurses who delivers this program in the home. It is such a phenomenal program. I see young women grow and develop into the successful and supportive parents they wish to be. It is a truly amazing process to watch these women prepare themselves for parenthood and then to take on the role with confidence and accomplish their goals. Thank you for making it possible to deliver such an outstanding program.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
I go into the homes of these women and watch them take on the program information and adapt it to their daily lives with awesome results.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Make it available in every county of Colorado and every state.
1 person found this review helpful
May 25, 2010
1 person found this review helpful
I learned about Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP)in 2004 when I was working at a public health non-profit that provides maternal and child health services. Intrigued, I read up on everything I could find about NFP, and was struck by the caring, compassion, intelligence, and fierce drive for real, meaningful results that shine through in every aspect of the work. The holistic focus on helping children together with their parents makes sense to me intuitively--as does the focus on preventive early intervention, the earlier the better. But I was also impressed to find that NFP has 30+ years of proven successful results under its belt, carefully documented with randomized controlled trials, as well as Rand cost-benefit research showing multiple dollars saved for every dollar spent on the program.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Please see my review above.
More feedback...
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
caring and intelligent
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
help put so many parents and children on the path to fulfiling their potential
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every month
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010
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