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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Patricia Uris, PhD, Programs, Nurse-Family Partnership National Office, 1900 Grant Street, Suite 400, Denver, CO 80203, 303-327-4256, pat.uris@nursefamilypartnership.org

Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) is a voluntary prevention program providing home visitation services by registered nurses to low-income, first-time mothers early in pregnancy through the child's second birthday. This evidence-based program has three primary goals: 1. Improve pregnancy outcomes by helping young women improve their health-related behaviors including the use of cigarettes, alcohol and illegal substances. 2. Improve child health and development by helping parents provide responsible and competent care for their children. 3. Improve families' economic self-sufficiency by helping parents plan future pregnancies, continue education, find work and, when appropriate, strengthen partner relationships. Multi-site, randomized, controlled trials of the intervention and follow-up studies over a 20-year period found consistent program effects in at least two of the three trials, including: • Improved prenatal health • Fewer childhood injuries • Fewer subsequent pregnancies • Increased intervals between births • Increased maternal employment • Improved school readiness of children Cost-benefit analysis studies indicate results in benefits that substantially outweigh program costs, and NFP is highlighted as a solid public investment in numerous reports including: • Surgeon General Report on Mental Illness • Surgeon General Report on Youth Violence • Coalition for Evidence-Based Policy • Washington State Institute for Public Policy • President's New Freedom Commission on Mental Health • World Health Organization Report on Prevention of Mental Disorders NFP is now being replicated in more than 20 states. Funding sources vary from site to site but include both public (i.e., MCH Block Grant, TANF) and private (i.e., local foundations, hospitals) dollars.

Learning Objectives: Upon completion of the session, participants will be able to

• Describe the primary goals of Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP)
• Discuss improvements in maternal health and pregnancy outcomes and in children's health and development during the NFP research trials and the replication process
• Describe the financial and social benefits of the program based on economic studies
• Describe the replication and funding of NFP across the country

Keywords: Maternal and Child Health,

Related Web page: www.nursefamilypartnership.org

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered