Program helps to improve lives for new mothers | Families

Registered nurse, mentor, teacher, personal cheerleader: It’s all part of the job description for four registered nurses working with the Lexington/Richland Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP), a public health program for first-time, low-income mothers. On Monday, SC Department of Health and Human Services Director Anthony Keck joined foundation representatives, medical professionals, community leaders, nurses and clients at a community update event to discuss how NFP nurses are transforming the lives of at-risk families in Lexington and Richland Counties.

Since enrolling its first client in March 2009, Lexington/Richland NFP has successfully helped its clients quit smoking during pregnancy, encouraged teen mothers to complete school, and helped clients engage in healthy practices. In fact, initial outcomes are promising:

• Only 6.7 percent of its clients smoked during pregnancy, which is 5 percent lower than the national NFP client average. The average for first-time, Medicaid-eligible mothers not enrolled in the program is 14 percent, according to the SC Division of Biostatistics.
• Clients have fewer subsequent pregnancies one year after delivery of their first child. The national NFP average for pregnancy within 12 months postpartum is 12.5 percent. The Lexington/Richland NFP site average is half of that at 6.9 percent.
• Only 1 percent of its clients had very low birth weight babies (at or below 2.5 pounds).

“It’s an incredible feeling to know we have the opportunity to work with new mothers who may need extra support and guidance,” said Lexington/Richland NFP Nurse Supervisor Billy Wiggins, RN, MSN. “Our direct involvement in clients’ daily lives allows us to become a trusted resource and a much-needed support system. That close relationship is the foundation of Nurse-Family Partnership’s success.”

During the event, participants heard updates from Director Keck, NFP staff and an NFP nurse and client, who shared their personal experiences with NFP.

Nurse-Family Partnership is an evidence-based, nurse home visitation program that empowers low-income, first-time mothers to become confident parents by partnering them with registered nurses from pregnancy until the child reaches age two. Randomized, controlled trials of NFP initiatives conducted over 30 years demonstrate long-term positive outcomes that can benefit society and families and reduce dependence on public assistance. 

The SC Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) – Region 3 operates the NFP program with support from Lexington County First Steps and Richland County First Steps. Since its start, the bi-county site has served 186 clients, welcomed 110 newborns and conducted more than 2,780 home visits. Soon, the first group of clients will complete the program after more than two years of enrollment.

NFP currently operates local programs in 12 South Carolina counties. In addition to Lexington and Richland, NFP serves families in Anderson, Berkeley, Charleston, Colleton, Dorchester, Georgetown, Greenville, Horry, Spartanburg and Williamsburg counties.

A strong public-private partnership supports NFP in South Carolina. The Duke Endowment, South Carolina DHEC, the BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation, South Carolina First Steps to School Readiness, the Children’s Trust of South Carolina, and the Nurse-Family Partnership National Service Office are providing long-term support for the state’s program.

“Nurse-Family Partnership’s reach goes far beyond just the mother and baby,” said Rhett Mabry, vice president of The Duke Endowment. “It focuses on the whole picture, including fathers, families and the entire community. I hope the program’s initial success will pave the way for even more families to gain access to this vital program.”