Current Program
In 2010, Healthy Start Kitsap, in partnership with the Kitsap Public Health District, implemented the Maternity-Infant Home Visitation Program. Healthy Start Kitsap’s Maternity Infant Home Visiting Program, provides services to first-time, low-income mothers and their infants from the start of the second trimester of pregnancy to the child's first birthday. The program helps change the lives of vulnerable first-time mothers and newborns through ongoing home visits from specially trained registered nurses. The nurses build their clients' skills, confidence and hope; thereby, empowering the young mothers with the skill and ability to plan their own futures. Through those visits by... including working towards improved family economics through career planning. Research studies show that mothers who participate in these types of programs have positive behaviors toward their infant’s health, assume the role of sensitive and competent parent, locate supportive services for herself and her child and set goals in relation to education, employment and future pregnancies.
There are few issues in the world that are as important as helping families succeed. We invite you to support our vital efforts on the front lines of those battles. Please make a donation today and contact us for other ways that you can help build a secure future for Kitsap County!
The next goal: WHY NURSE FAMILY PARTNERSHIP for Kitsap County?
- What if we could reduce child abuse by 48%?
- What if we could decrease Emergency Department visits for accidents and poisonings by 56%?
- What if we could achieve a 39% decrease in childhood injuries?
- What if we could decrease childhood arrests by age 15 years by 59%?
Amazingly there is a program that has been tested for 35 years, currently in more than 400 locations in the United States including 10 locations in Washington State . This program returns $3.00 to $5.00 to society for every $1.00 invested. This is a way to build tomorrow’s society and empower a society where families are stronger and we spend less on jails and policing because we have spent more on building positive family structures.
Other objectively studied evidence-based improvements are amazing in the areas of family heath improvement, school readiness and financial self-reliance. These results are achieved through a home visitation program for first time pregnant, low income women, that provides more than 2 years of weekly or bi-weekly visits throughout pregnancy and continuing until the child’s 2nd birthday. Through those visits by a specially trained Public Health Nurse, the new mom engages in a specific curriculum that covers all aspects of young family life, including planning for improved family economics through career planning. This is an empowering program NOT A HAND-OUT.
This is a proven program with a 35 year track record. This is Nurse Family Partnership. Check it out at www.nursefamilypartnership.org!
Vision Statement
Empowering first-time mothers to provide a healthy start for their babies.
Mission Statement
Eliminate child abuse and neglect in our community
Testimonials
"I liked it because I got personal help from someone ‘in the business’ and was able to discuss my concerns about parenting and breastfeeding in the first months of my baby’s life."
"Being in the Healthy Start Kitsap program with my own Public Health Nurse gave me more information about the stuff I didn’t know and helped me to feel like a better mom to my baby."
Further Reading
http://www.kitsapsun.com/news/2011/sep/22/after-a-year-nurse-home-visitation-program
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