Pregnant Women can Receive Home Visits from Nurses

Preschool teacher Gabriela Rodriguez, 25, has received visits in her home from registered nurse Debi Zingone ever since she learned that she was pregnant with her daughter, Penelope, now 14 months old. Rodriguez is client of Project Self-Sufficiency’s Nurse Family Partnership program. Zingone provided invaluable support throughout Rodriguez’ pregnancy and she will continue to visit the mother and child regularly until the youngster celebrates her second birthday.

“From Debi I learned things I can use to make sure that my baby is okay,” explains Rodriguez who also attends college in pursuit of a degree in education. “I learned how to put my baby to sleep, which foods to give her, and how to deal with my anxiety. I had a lot of worries about having a baby, and I was having a hard time because I felt very alone. Everything I’ve learned I owe to my nurse home visitor, Debi.”

Women who are pregnant with their first child can 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 served more than 260,000 families in 42 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.

“I would recommend this program because it’s a beautiful experience,” remarks Rodriguez. “Not a lot of people can get this kind of help and learn how to take care of their babies from a registered nurse. It’s particularly helpful for single mothers or for first-time moms who don’t have help from their family.”

Project Self-Sufficiency is celebrating its thirtieth year of providing services to families in the New Jersey counties of Sussex, Warren and Hunterdon. Programs include career guidance, computer training, help with obtaining a high school diploma, 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.