A Partnership For A Brighter Future

The Nurse-Family Partnership Provides A Life-Changing Lesson In Motherhood 101

(CBS)  Candice Hamilton's baby girl was due July 7, 2007.

"All sevens," she laughed.

Even though the baby, Cambry, arrived 11 days early, she's still lucky — because her single, teenage mom is less fearful about parenting. That's thanks to regular visits by a registered nurse named Brooke Fesperman, who teaches everything from bathing to burping — and so much more.

"You kind of have to change their thinking to 'I can do this,'" Fesperman says.

Call it Motherhood 101, courtesy of the Nurse-Family Partnership, a program in which registered nurses visit first-time mothers in high-risk, low-income households, CBS Evening News anchor Katie Couric reports.

"We needed to do a better job of helping parents, especially those living in impoverished, disadvantaged circumstances," said David Olds.

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Couric Blogs: Giving Newborns "A Good Start"

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Olds knows what he's talking about. His family fell apart when he was 11, but his mother's love and support made him appreciate good parenting. Although he grew up poor, he left a full scholarship to Johns Hopkins on the table to work at an inner-city day care center in Baltimore, where he learned that by the time a child is 3 or 4 years old, it's often too late.

"Some of the children had been exposed to alcohol and drugs during pregnancy. Other children had been abused or were being abused. So I realized that we needed to start much earlier, and we needed to work with parents," Olds says.

That's why, 30 years ago, Olds created a program that starts when a new mom is pregnant and continues until the baby turns 2.

Today, more than 800 nurses are serving more than 20,000 moms in 22 states — through funding by private charities and local governments.

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Learn more about the Nurse-Family Partnership and find a group in your area.

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Studies show the program is a resounding success — improved prenatal health, fewer cases of child abuse and neglect, and babies who do better when they grow up. Children who were part of the program have 59 percent fewer arrests by age 15.

The real stars of this program are nurses like Joanne O'Brien from Brooklyn — once a teenage mother herself.

Has this been fulfilling for O'Brien?

"It’s wonderful," O'Brien says. "One of the best things that's ever happened to me — for me to give back."

O'Brien helps out Kamesha, 22, a new mom who told Couric that she feels as if she can call O'Brien at any hour.

"I call Joanne — ask her how many times I call her! Five times a day," Kamesha says.

O'Brien's visits have given Kamesha the confidence to go back to school.

Many of these nurses become much more than just medical advisers — they're life coaches.

"They are exactly that," responds Olds. "This isn't a job for every nurse. But for nurses who are passionate about helping the disadvantaged, this is a wonderful opportunity. Some nurses will say this is the hardest job I've ever loved."

It's fulfilling work for nurses, important lessons for new moms — and a brighter future for countless children.

[barbnfp]

Kudos to Ms. Couric for highlighting one of the few evidence-based programs that has sustainable results. Almost eight years ago I began my job as a supervisor for the Nurse Family Partnership in Pennsylvania because I felt the program was promising. 800 families and thousands of visits later, I believe the program is powerful.
Our society uses the cliche "breaking the cycle" without ever intending to put forth the economic and human investment required to truly facilitate vulnerable families on their journey. Davis Old's is the brainchild of the program.The nurses' selfless dedication, enthusiasm and compassion fuel the program. Families give purpose, meaning and value to the program. Each child that emerges as a physically, socially and emotionally well individual is a stronger building block for tomorrow's communities.

[mswolfestock]

This is a great program but I think they need to do more work with the at-risk teens, both boys and girls, before the girl gets pregnant. We'd be better off as a society when kids quit having kids. These young folks would have a much better chance for succeeding as adults if they would not have children before they (and society) are ready and prepared.

[cheleandco14]

I think the uniqueness of NFP seems to be the commitment and time dedicated by both the nurse and the new mom to change the mom's habits in order for her to succeed at not being a part of the 'at risk' population. It also seems the funding source does not come from the medicare/medicaid system.

The story emphasis should not have been so much about home visiting nurses but should have been on the uniquess of the nurse reaching out to a very underserved community with an unheard of level of commitment time (30 months) and required education on the nurses part (BSN or higher).

Bravo to Ms. Couric for airing a segment on those in the USA who are trying to make a difference in the USA. Kudos to NFP and to their visiting nurses.