Nurse Home Visits Available to Eligible Pregnant Women

Women who are pregnant with their first child can now receive regular visits from a nurse in the privacy of their own home through the Nurse Family Partnership program offered by Project Self-Sufficiency. Eligible, first-time mothers of all ages are paired with a nurse who visits them throughout the pregnancy and up until the child’s second birthday. Nurse-Family Partnership is founded on the pioneering work of David Olds, professor of pediatrics, psychiatry, and preventive medicine at the University of Colorado in Denver. Olds' determination to help young children and families get a better start in life led to the development of a nurse home visitation program for first-time, low-income moms and their children. The voluntary program was tested extensively prior to its launch in 1996; since then it has been adopted in 43 states, the United States Virgin Islands and six tribal communities. The initiative is one of three different home visitation programs for young mothers which is provided by Project Self-Sufficiency to families in northwestern New Jersey.

The visiting nurses provide support, education and counseling on health, behavioral and self-sufficiency issues. “Our goal is to improve pregnancy outcomes, and to assist parents with improving early childhood development, while helping the family to move towards economic self-sufficiency,” explains Deborah Berry-Toon, Executive Director of Project Self-Sufficiency. “All of the home visitation programs offered by Project Self-Sufficiency are designed to empower mothers to be the best parents they can be.”

Nurse Family Partnership is one the most rigorously tested programs of its kind. Mothers and children who have participated in the program have consistently demonstrated significantly improved prenatal health, fewer subsequent pregnancies, increased maternal employment, improved child school readiness, reduced involvement in crime, and less child abuse, neglect and injuries.

Local resident Fatima J. has participated in the Nurse Family Partnership program for almost three years. She enrolled in the program while pregnant with her daughter, Maryam. Although Fatima had extensive experience babysitting other children, and her husband, Mohammed, is a nurse, Fatima explains, “I was nervous. This was my first child.” The regular visits with registered nurse Tracey Sweatt gave Fatima confidence. “Motherhood is a lot of work. You have to be very patient when you are raising a child. The nurse explained what to expect when the baby arrived, what to expect during the first year, and she helped me to understand what to do if she became sick or there was an emergency. Basically, everything a mother should know or should do. It’s a Mother’s Guide Book!” In May, Fatima obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Her major included a concentration in International Affairs and a minor in Criminology. She is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Homeland Security Management. Fatima strongly recommends the Nurse Family Partnership program. “This program really helped. They were like another mother. I was so happy that I could get the help I needed.”

Project Self-Sufficiency provides an array of services aimed primarily at low-income families. Programs include career guidance, computer training, help with obtaining a GED, parenting skills classes, legal assistance and education, financial workshops, health education, childcare and family activities. The agency offers help around the holidays, formal dresses during prom season, and assistance with emergency basic needs, such as food and clothing to its participants. Most services are free and many are open to the public.

Those who are interested in learning more about the Nurse-Family Partnership, or any of the other programs offered at Project Self-Sufficiency, are encouraged to call 973-940-3500 or 844-807-3500, or visit www.projectselfsufficiency.org.