The Nurse-Family Partnership program of Guilford Child Development is a national leader in working with first time expectant parents on what it means to be a parent. The program provides a solid start to children born in low-income households—often single, teen moms. The Guilford County Health Department, YWCA and Office of Juvenile Justice refer expectant first time moms to the program.

A Nurse-Family Partnership nurse meets with the mother-to-be on a weekly basis for the first four weeks. The nurse teaches the mother-to-be about changes to her and her unborn baby during the rapidly changing months of pregnancy. The idea is to avoid unnecessary anxiety and unnecessary trips to the emergency department. Where and how to get additional help, such as prenatal care, is also an important topic.

Once the child is born, the nurse visits every week for the first six weeks, bi-weekly until the child reaches 21 months old, and then monthly for the following three months. The purpose of these visits is to teach the first time mom about the growth and development of her baby.

By teaching moms the stages of infant development, they will better understand what their children can and can’t do. The objectives are fewer incidents of abuse born of frustration and children more socially advanced when they enter Early Head Start and Head Start.

Nurse-Family Partnership nurses also strive to help moms become better advocates for themselves and their child. Nurses encourage moms to achieve personal goals such as more education.

Another part of Nurse-Family Partnership is Fathers Strengthening Families. This program helps biological fathers become more involved with their children. Organizers realize that the single parents aren’t always going to be a part of each other’s lives, but they are going to always have that child. A male outreach coordinator meets with the father on a regular basis to talk about ways to be a part of his child’s life. Fathers are also invited to a monthly support group of other single dads.

Nurse-Family Partnership has a contract with Guilford County Health Department and is funded through grants. The organization is heavily involved in research into the impact of combining Early Head Start with Nurse Family Partnership efforts.

Click here to learn more about NFP and its founder, Dr. David Olds.