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Nurse assistance available for low-income, first-time mothers


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Low-income, first-time mothers in Yavapai County who are interested in working with a nurse throughout pregnancy and during their new child’s first year can benefit from the Nurse Family Partnership.
8/18/2012 10:00:00 PM

 Low-income, first-time mothers in Yavapai County who are interested in working with a nurse throughout pregnancy and during their new child's first year can benefit from the Nurse Family Partnership, a program affiliated with Yavapai County Community Health Services and funded by First Things First.

The Nurse Family Partnership is a free and voluntary program in which a registered nurse partners with parents to ensure the health and well-being of the pregnant mom, helps new parents learn about pregnancy, prepare for labor and delivery, connects families with community resources, and visits the family at home at a scheduled time convenient for the family as often as the family desires, said Claire Louge, parent awareness and community outreach coordinator for the Yavapai Regional Partnership Council.

"I don't know what I would have done without my nurse," said Alexa, who participated in the Nurse Family Partnership Program when she had her first child. "My nurse helped me to know what is best for my baby's health and development. She helped my baby get on AHCCCS when I had to give up my job to stay at home with my daughter. This is a great program!"

Parents are a child's first and most important teachers, and the job of making sure a child is healthy and ready to succeed begins in the womb, Louge said.

After the baby is born, the nurse monitors the growth and development of the baby, and provides parenting education on topics including home safety, immunizations, child nutrition and discipline, making sure parents have the tools to ensure their child is developing and building the skills needed for a lifetime of learning, Louge explained, adding that the nurse helps parents focus on the goals they have set for themselves and their family.

"The Nurse Family Partnership provides a wealth of information to parents and families so that new parents can feel confident in their ability to keep their child safe and healthy," said Barbara Jorgensen, family health and wellness manager for Yavapai County Community Health Services. "The nurse can answer any questions that new parents might have.  If she doesn't know the answer right away, she will find it."

The Yavapai Regional Partnership Council of First Things First chose to fund the Nurse Family Partnership to help ensure all young children in the community are healthy and ready to succeed.

To enroll in the program in the Prescott and Prescott Valley areas, call 442-5478. For the Verde Valley area, call 634-6851. For more information on First Things First, visit azftf.gov/brains.  


 

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