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Nurse-Family Partnership® Program

Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) is a voluntary prevention program providing nurse home visitation services to low income, first-time mothers throughout pregnancy until the baby is two years old.

Mission:

The mission of Nurse-Family Partnership is to improve pregnancy outcomes, to optimize child health and development, and to encourage economic self-sufficiency for eligible, first-time parents.

Services:

  • Assisting eligible first-time mothers in developing positive parenting skills.
  • Home visits by a registered nurse throughout the pregnancy (ideally to begin before the 16th and up to 28th week), and continuing until the child is two.
  • Nurses provide support, education and counseling on health, behavioral and self-sufficiency issues.
  • Education to coincide with the stages of pregnancy, and early stages of child growth and development.
  • Information and counseling to promote healthy behaviors.
  • Linking families with a network of community, health, and other supportive community resources that promote self-sufficiency.

Program benefits:

More than 30 years of research on NFP show consistent results in improved prenatal care, fewer subsequent pregnancies, increased maternal education and employment, improved school readiness by the child, and decreased childhood injuries and criminal convictions.

Benefits to the mother:

  • Achieving a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby
  • Becoming an effective and loving parent
  • Building a strong network of support for her and her child
  • Making the home a safe place for the child to live and play
  • Referrals for healthcare, childcare, job training and other community support services
  • Assistance in finding ways to continue her education and develop job skills
  • Assistance in setting goals for the family's future and exploring ways to reach them

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible for this program?

Any woman who is:

  • Pregnant with her first child and enrolled before 28 weeks of pregnancy*
  • Meets income requirements (only the mother's income is considered)
  • Living in Colorado

*If there are program openings, a woman who has already delivered and whose child is less than one month old may apply.

How much does it cost?

Nurse-Family Partnership is free to eligible women.

Can the baby's father participate too?

Nurse-Family Partnership encourages the baby's father, family members and even friends to be involved in the visits and to learn how they can best support the mother. The mother is the one who is enrolled in the program and therefore she decides who can be involved with the visits.

Do I have to live in Larimer County to get NFP services?

No, other counties in Colorado also participate in the NFP program. Interested women can check the NFP website (www.nursefamilypartnership.org) for more information on participating counties or contact the Larimer County NFP site for assistance.

What is required of the mother to be a participant?

Participants must agree to have a nurse make regularly scheduled visits in their homes through the pregnancy until the child is two years old.

How is this program different than the other Larimer County Maternal Programs?

This program is only for first-time mothers. The woman's home visits are provided by NFP nurses who visit over a longer period of time (2 years) than the maternity programs. NFP nurses work with the new mothers on a broad range of health and life skills designed to help families develop a vision of their own future, including planning future pregnancies, how to find a job, and continue their education.

Does this program provide financial assistance for prenatal care and medical care for my children?

No, the NFP does not provide financial assistance, but nurses are trained to provide help in linking women with needed financial resources, community services and health care.

Internet Site

www.nursefamilypartnership.org

Contact Information

Brenda Graves, RN
Supervisor, Nurse Family Partnership
Larimer County Department of Health & Environment
(970) 498-6731
bgraves@larimer.org