Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #115479

Katherine K. Kinsey, PhD, RN, FAAN¹, Terence Young, MHA², Marie James, BSN, RN³, Tine Hansen-Turton, MGA¹, Nancy Rothman, EdD, RN⁴, Rita J. Lourie, MSN, MPH, RN⁴, Mary Beth Haas, MSN, CRNP, IBCLC⁵, Patricia Gerrity, Phd, RN, FAAN⁶, Katie Dawley, CNM, PhD⁶, and Lisa Whitfield-Harris, RN BSN⁷. (1) Nurse-Family Partnership of Philadelphia, National Nursing Centers Consortium, 18th Floor, 260 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102, 609-865-6275, kkinsey@nncc.us, (2) Division of Early Childhood, Youth and Women's Health, Philadelphia Department of Health, 1101 Market St, 9th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19107, (3) Division of Early Childhood, Youth and Women's Health, Department of Public Health, City of Philadelphia, 9th Floor, 1101 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, (4) Department of Nursing, Temple University, CAHP, 3307 North Broad Street 602-00, Philadelphia, PA 19140, (5) Nurse Family Partnership, Lutheran Family and Children Service, 5902 N. Fifth Street, Philadelphia, PA 19120, (6) College of Nursing and Health Professionals, MCP Hahnemann University, Mailstop 501, 245 North 15th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102, (7) La Salle University, 525 Douglas Drive, Cherry Hill, NJ 08034

The Philadelphia Nurse-Family Partnership is a replication model based on the most rigorously tested program of its kind. The Philadelphia NFP serves first time low-income parents and their children through an intensive nurse home visit model. The program founder, Dr. David Olds, began his research in 1977. Randomized controlled studies continue in Elmira, NY, Memphis,TN and Denver, CO. Data document that those NFP mothers are less likely to abuse or neglect their children; have subsequent unintended pregnancies, or misuse alcohol or drugs; and they are more likely to transition off welfare and maintain stable employment. In Philadelphia, 2002-2005 data document that participants are 1) less likely to smoke during pregnancy; 2) more likely to breastfeed; 3) more likely to return to school or workforce post delivery; 4) striving for family stability; 5) less likely to have short-interval second pregnancies; and, 6) adhering to childhood immunization requirements (100% at two years). Local and state-wide data (23 sites in Pennsylvania) offer solid evidence that the NFP makes positive contributions to family life, community stabiltiy, and saves public dollars. The challenge faced by all NFP programs is to change or introduce public policy that supports this nationally recognized prevention model. Investment in the NFP reduces the need for expensive intervention programs for neglected, abused children, adjudicated youth, and families dependent upon TANF(Temporary Assistane to Needy Families). This presentation outlines the Philadelphia NFP work with the National Nursing Centers Consortium (NNCC) to change public and elected officials' perceptions regarding prevention programs; advocate for policies that support the health and well-being of mothers, children and families; and, feature nursing contributions to the health of our nation. Furthermore, the presentation highlights the local NFP/NNCC work to address significant family challenges that influence independent, productive lifestyles. These challenges (inadequate housing, profound depression, incarceration, childhood sexual abuse, absence of positive role models, obesity, low-paying part-time jos, etc.) necessitate changes in policy and evidence based practice. Emphasis is placed on our local work supporting the National NFP Office goal "...to make the program availabe to all low-income first-time mothers across the U.S...." (www.nursefamilypartnership.org).

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to

• Identify the three goals of the nurse-family partnership.
• Describe two or more public policy challenges.
• Analyze one or more family/environmental factors that influence Nurse-Family Partnership outcomes

Keywords: Public Health Nursing, Maternal and Child Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Recorded presentation