Are You A Low-Income, Pregnant, First-Time Mom?

JOHNSON CITY - Low-income, pregnant, first-time moms are being recruited to take part in a free program aimed at improving the health outcomes for themselves and their babies.

The program, which is being facilitated through the East Tennessee State University'sCollege of Nursing, is being funded through a $3.3 million grant from the Tennessee Deaprtment of Human Services.

"We'll be working with these first-time moms throughout their pregnancies and up through when the children turn 2 years old," said Dr. Patti Vanhook, associate dean of practice for the ETSU College of Nursing and director of the pilot program, in a news release.

"The goal is to ensure healthy pregnancies and healthy children," Vanhook added.

According to Vanhook, the Nurse Family Partnership program at ETSU takes a two-generational approach to breaking the cycle of poverty.

More than 40 years of evidence shows that Nurse Family Partnership has been successful in improving birth outcomes, child health and development, and the family's economic self-sufficiency, she notes in the release.

HELP PROVIDED IN

FOUR AREAS

The program emphasizes providing the mothers with opportunities in four key areas:

education,

economic support,

health and well-being, and

social capital.

"We are talking about things like educating the moms on responsible and competent care, helping them find employment, ensuring good preventative health practices during pregnancy and after, and helping them build a support network," Vanhook explained. "We really want to help the women develop their skills and grow."

PARTICIPANTS ASSIGNED OWN NURSE

A registered nurse will be assigned as a case manager for each of the participating women, making weekly visits during pregnancy and on a regular basis once the child is born.

"Essentially, they can have their own nurse throughout their pregnancy and those first two years of their child's life," Vanhook said. "In our research, we have seen that moms often wind up getting themselves out of poverty because they have that extra support, and ultimately, they break the cycle of poverty for their children. It's really a great program."

The program is available for free and on a volunteer basis to low-income, pregnant, first-time moms in Carter, Greene, Hancock, Hawkins, Johnson, Sullivan, Unicoi and Washington counties, the release says.

The ETSU College of Nursing is undertaking the effort in conjunction with ETSU's Center for Community Outreach and Applied Research.

A community advisory board also has been developed to help guide the program.

To learn more about eligibility or for more information, contact Trish Furches, nursing director, by calling or texting 423-900-3160.