If you know a woman who is having her first baby and is on Medicaid
........... We Can Help
Nurse-Family Partnership of Berkeley, Charleston & Dorchester Counties
The South Carolina Department of Health & Environmental Control’s Region 7 is now offering the nationally recognized Nurse-Family Partnership Program to first time mothers in Berkeley, Charleston & Dorchester counties who are enrolled in Medicaid.
Grant funds from the Blue Cross/Blue Shield Foundation of the Carolinas have made it possible for us to provide this evidence-based community health program that can help transform the lives of vulnerable mothers pregnant with their first child.
Nurse-Family Partnership focuses on first-time mothers. It is during a first pregnancy that the best chance exists to promote and teach positive health and development behaviors between a mother and her baby. Each mother we serve is partnered with a registered nurse early in her pregnancy and receives ongoing nurse home visits that continue through her child’s second birthday. The nurses will work to improve the health, well-being and self-sufficiency of low-income, first-time mothers and their children through a home visitation program.
The goals of the Nurse-Family Partnership are:
- Improve pregnancy outcomes by helping women engage in good preventive health practices, including thorough prenatal care from their healthcare providers, improving their diets, and reducing their use of cigarettes, alcohol and illegal substances
- Improve child health and development by helping parents provide responsible and competent care
- Improve the economic self-sufficiency of the family by helping parents develop a vision for their own future, plan future pregnancies, continue their education and find work
How is Region 7, DHEC implementing the program?
Each mother we serve is partnered with a registered nurse early in her pregnancy and receives ongoing nurse home visits that continue through her child’s second birthday.
Who is eligible?
Any female living in Berkeley, Charleston or Dorchester County who is expecting her first child and who is also enrolled in Medicaid.
Who can refer someone to the program?
Anyone can refer a woman who is pregnant for the first time. This includes teachers, school nurses, physicians, family, friends, even the woman herself.
How can someone be referred?
Making a referral is easy. Just call (843) 579-4592 or email manigavw@dhec.sc.gov
When will the program begin?
We will begin accepting referrals on July 1, 2009. Home visits under the Nurse-Family Partnership will begin the week of July 20, 2009.
Where can I get more information?
There are several ways you can learn more about the Nurse-Family Partnership Program:
- Call (843) 579-4592
- E-mail manigavw@dhec.sc.gov
- Visit the Nurse-Family Partnership national website at www.nursefamilypartnership.org