The V.I. Department of Health’s (DOH) Virgin Islands Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) and Maternal Child Health and Children with Special Health Care Needs Programs are proud to announce their 2017 graduates: Kimberly Thomas, Malik Francis, Tynesha Jean, Z’nariah Thomas, Kenilla Pascal, Denae Cline, Tamika Charles and Adrion Charles.
These individuals participated in the NFP, during which mother and baby received home care visits from the prenatal period through the baby’s second birthday. DOH is celebrating their commitment to incorporating and sustaining healthy habits that benefit them and their child. DOH’s annual graduation will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Friday, June 9, at the Windward Passage, according to a press release from DOH. The public is invited to the graduation to share in a show of support for these families.
The NFP program helps improve the lives of vulnerable first-time mothers and their babies, through ongoing home visits from registered nurses. This evidence-based, community health program has proven results including long-term family improvements in health, education and economic self-sufficiency. The nurses who visit first-time mothers focus on building therapeutic relationships with them and supporting them with education, goal setting, positive behavior change, nursing screening and assessments, attentive parenting (i.e. reading to the child), as well as case management activities.
Since the establishment of NFP in 2012, 88 families in the territory have been served. Outcomes achieved among the families participating in the NFP program in the Virgin Islands include:
- 100 percent of the babies received all immunization by 24 months of age
- 92 percent of the mothers initiated breast-feeding
- 90 percent of the babies were born full term
Nurse-Family Partnership Goals (www.nursefamilypartnership.org):
- Improve pregnancy outcomes by helping women engage in good preventive health practices, including prenatal care from their healthcare providers, improving their diets as well as 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.
For more information, call Carmen Vanterpool-Romney RN at 777-8804, ext. 2708 or e-mail carmen.vanterpool@doh.vi.gov or go to Web site: www.doh.vi.gov.