FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JANUARY 23, 2012
Newborn Nurse Visit Program Finds New Home at Durham Non-Profit
Durham, N.C. (June 23, 2008) - Durham, NC – The Durham Connects newborn nurse home visiting program has made a significant leap from university supported pilot, to a non-profit driven program. As of January 1, 2012, Durham Connects will be operating from the Center for Child and Family Health located in the NC Mutual Life Building in downtown Durham. Durham Connects has been providing newborn nurse home visits to parents of newborns since 2008.
Durham Connects offers home visits at no charge to all Durham County residents who deliver their baby in a Durham hospital. The nurse typically visits the home at about three weeks postpartum to offer a physical assessment of mom and baby, offer support and make referrals to local parenting resources. Parents surveyed give Durham Connects a 98% positive rating for helpfulness and would recommend it to a friend.
Eligible parents do not need to sign up for the program in advance. Instead, a representative meets with families in the hospital following each birth. Obstetricians, pediatricians and hospital staff endorse the program and encourage parents to participate. Currently about 75% of eligible families sign up.
The program pilot launched in 2008, offering home visits to half of the county’s population. It then underwent an evaluation period between July 2009 and December 2010. Initial results of the evaluation are positive and are currently being prepared for publication. The program expanded to serve all Durham born babies to Durham County residents in January 2011.
Funding for Durham Connects comes from The Duke Endowment, Durham County and small grants. The Center for Child and Family Policy, along with the Durham County Health Department will continue to collaborate on the program with a goal of 100% community sustainability by 2013.
About Durham Connects
Durham Connects is a collaborative program of the Durham County Health Department, Duke University’s Center for Child and Family Policy, the Center for Child and Family Health and Duke University Health Systems. Funded through The Duke Endowment, Durham County and small grants, Durham Connects' mission is to increase child well-being by bridging the gap between new parent needs and community resources. Durham Connects provides home visits free of charge to families of newborns in Durham County in order to support parenting skills and overall health. Core to Durham Connects’ mission is to create a seamless web of available community resources for families. Durham Connects links new parents to these resources and follows up with each family. For more information, call 919-419-3474 ext. 403 or visit www.durhamconnects.org.
About Center for Child and Family Health
The mission of CCFH is to care for children and families affected by trauma, abuse, and other forms of adversity. Our professionals utilize a multidisciplinary measurable approach to provide prevention services, treatment for children and families, professional training, and research related to child traumatic stress by uniquely integrating community-based practice and academic excellence.
At the Center for Child & Family Health we believe that every child has the right to be loved, nurtured, and safe. As a center of excellence we define the highest standards in the prevention and treatment of childhood trauma. In this way stability and hope can be restored for children and their families.
We do this by:
• providing direct services to children and their families,
• conducting and disseminating research,
• advocating for effective public policies and practices, and
• assisting other communities in replicating our collaborative approach.
Contact:
Jeannine Sato
Executive Director
919-668-3295 o.
919-357-0324 c.