The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors wants to bet on early intervention to help women living in poverty and pregnant with their first baby to narrow the gap with more advantaged peers.
The Nurse-Family Partnership, a model used in 43 states and 551 counties, pairs women three months into a pregnancy with a nurse who makes 64 home visits through the child’s second birthday.
The nurse provides education on nutrition, child development and parenting at a critical time for babies and toddlers — when their brains make connections that can set their trajectory for success.
Research on the Nurse-Family Partnership for three decades found a 50 percent reduction in language delays at age 21 months, a 67 percent reduction in behavioral and intellectual problems at age 6, and 48 percent reduction in child abuse and neglect.
“It’s hard when you don’t have support systems,” said Supervisor Ryan Coonerty, who has two young children and heard about this program at conferences. “Our community ends up paying a lot down the road for kids who have fallen behind.”
Coonerty and Supervisor Bruce McPherson recommended a pilot project for 100 families in fiscal 2016-2017. Last week, supervisors voted 5-0 to pursue funding for the launch.
First-year expenses with at least four public health nurses are estimated to be $857,000, with potential federal revenue of $323,000. Staff will return with a start-up plan during budget discussions.
To continue reading this article by Jondi Gumz, go to: http://www.santacruzsentinel.c...60216/NEWS/160219751
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