Children First provides first-time moms with a highly-trained registered nurse who delivers home visit case management services beginning in pregnancy through the child’s second birthday. This voluntary and evidence-based model improves: birth outcomes, child health and development and increases economic self-sufficiency by utilizing a solution-focused approach that focuses on the strengths of the mother, ultimately helping her achieve her heart’s desire.
Positive intervention with a mother early in her first pregnancy greatly improves birth outcomes which helps lower the overall costs of neonatal intensive care. Strengthening positive parent-child interaction activities lowers the risk for child maltreatment to occur, and increasing the self-efficacy of a mother leads to less dependence on social services and greater employment and education opportunities. Healthy pregnancies lead to healthy births which lead to healthy families who reside in healthy communities!
By implementing with fidelity the evidence-based principles of the NFP model, Children First Nurses promote healthy pregnancies and healthy births while educating families about the importance of preventative care, healthy growth and development of children, utilization of community resources, setting goals to further education and employment opportunities to ultimately achieve greater economic independence.
During this past year, the Children First nurses have been unable to visit “in the homes” of their clients. The success of the Nurse Family Partnership Model is based on the relationship developed between the nurse and her clients which is best nurtured with in-home, in-person interaction. Beginning in July 2020, Children First Nurses, along with most of the THD staff, were assigned to support the COVID-19 response efforts on a part-time basis. By January of 2021, Children First Nurses were assigned full time to the COVID-19 response efforts and thereby informed their clients that they would temporarily not be able to provide services.
In July 2021, Children First nurses resumed program activities with their clients and were given a variety of options to offer clients in order to successfully complete visits without physically entering client homes. These options included phone, virtual telehealth and porch visits, as well as WIC site classrooms and other designated THD locations. These venues allowed nurses to be physically present with their clients while safely delivering program services. Visiting in person with the clients has helped many nurses successfully reconnect with their clients and strengthen the client’s participation in the program.
The Children First Program hosts a graduation celebration each year to recognize mothers who have successfully completed the 2 and ½ year curriculum. For the past several years, a community partner has graciously provided an indoor space for Children First to host this event. The program formally recognize the accomplishments of clients who have successfully graduated from Children First. In response to restrictions placed on indoor events during the past year, the program strategically pivoted to a “Drive Through” option to be able to host the graduation ceremony held on November 6, 2020. The unique drive-through graduation was a huge success with a total of 54 graduates and their families attending.
Formally recognizing the completion of a 2.5 year commitment while also achieving personal goals and improved economic self-sufficiency is a significant milestone to recognize and celebrate!
Three Generations of Children First
Children First Nurse, Catherine Ndhlovu, recently spoke with Myesha, the mother of her client Kjua. During this encounter, Myesha informed Catherine that she had, in fact, graduated from Children First over 20 years ago, in 2001.
"She had a such positive effect on my life. In fact, Marie was the person who inspired me to become a Registered Nurse."
Myesha told Catherine, “I had a Children First Nurse for Kjua. My nurse, Marie, was so kind. She helped me through my pregnancy and taught me how to be a good mother. She brought us through so much. She was my personal nurse and was truly a blessing. She had a such positive effect on my life. In fact, Marie was the person who inspired me to become a Registered Nurse.”
Catherine had no idea that her 21-year-old client, Kjua, was in fact a “2nd generation” Children First participant! Fast forward to 2021 and Myesha now has a healthy, happy 19-month-old granddaughter Athena, who is the 3rd generation recipient of Children First in this family! Savion, proud father of Athena , has participated in every Children First visit with Kjua since she enrolled in the program. This family’s story affirms the Children First Vision of "Healthy Mothers… Healthy Babies…. Healthy Families ….Healthy Communities!"
Lactation Program
The Lactation Program, funded through the GKFF BEST Initiative, is a program of ConnectFirst. This program offers breastfeeding mothers the opportunity to meet with an Internationally Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and other lactation professionals who can assist with lactation support needs. Referrals for services are received from THD programs, ConnectFirst and other area healthcare providers. Services are delivered at no cost to the client. Lactation program staff can answer breastfeeding questions over the phone or provide in-person support to assess mother and baby and develop a plan of care that promotes successful breastfeeding. “Breastfeeding 101” classes are also provided at multiple times throughout the year at no cost. Services are available in Spanish, Zomi and ASL with support for other languages also available.
The Lactation Program initiated use of Spanish Translation Services via the YWCA Intercultural Services program in early 2021. This service allows the IBCLC to offer in-person translation in Spanish via a YWCA translator at no cost. Having in-person translation for the mother and IBCLC while assessing a breastfeeding mother and baby greatly improves the ability make an informed assessment and formulate a plan that will result in a successful outcome for mother and baby. This service has also been used for Zomi translation.
Due to restrictions placed on in-home visits during the pandemic, the Lactation Program utilized multiple THD venues to conduct in-person Lactation assessment visits. YWCA Spanish and TSHA ASL Interpreters were also utilized at these locations.
By the Numbers
- 4,567 home visits completed
- 658 referrals served
- 179 enrollments
- 59 Children First graduates
Lactation Program
- 551 referrals
- 638 referral follow ups
- 210 visits
- 1,347 calls and texts