The Tennessee Department of Human Services awarded Erlanger Health System with a “2Gen” grant to fund the formation of a new community health program, Nurse-Family Partnership, to help first-time, low-income mothers in the Chattanooga region.
Nurse-Family Partnership is an evidence-based, community health program that serves women and teens who meet specific income requirements and who are expecting their first children. Each mother is partnered with a registered nurse early in her pregnancy and receives regular home visits until the child reaches two years of age (due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all NFP “visits” are virtual for the time being).
During these visits, an NFP nurse can help an expectant mother learn more about personal and environmental health (both during pregnancy and after delivery), infant and toddler health and development and parenting skills.
“This program is a very exciting venture for Erlanger Women’s Services,” said Elizabeth Morton, Erlanger NFP program coordinator. “We want women in our communities to feel knowledgeable and confident while preparing for, delivering and caring for a first child. It can be a very intimidating time, especially if you don’t have very many resources available to you, and we can now help ease that burden for many families in our region.”
NFP was founded in 1977 and the model of the program, which was developed by David Olds, Ph.D., is committed to “investing in motherhood.” According to NFP, the program “is scientifically proven to awaken the caretaker within mothers, strengthen families and break intergenerational cycles of poverty.”
“As we in healthcare know, the partnership between a nurse, a mother or family and a child is a great combination, especially for a new mother” said Erlanger Women’s Services Director Traci Josephson. “With this program, that partnership can go beyond the hospital and delivery room. Offering nursing services to mothers within their homes, whether in person or virtually, along every step of the journey is a great “front door” to a lifetime of care for both mother and baby. We’re very thankful to have been given the opportunity to form this program.”
To be eligible, the participant/family must be at or below the 200 percent poverty level and the participant may enroll during early pregnancy up to 28 weeks. Women can refer themselves or receive a referral from their obstetrics provider. To make a referral, please call 423-680-8911 or 423-218-6101.
The Nurse-Family Partnership is funded by a 2Gen grant contract with the state of Tennessee. TDHS launched the 2Gen grant program in 2014 as part of its nationally recognized “two generation” approach to addressing the needs of both parents and children simultaneously. Since then, TDHS has awarded grants to fund programs of more than 60 organizations and educational entities across the state.