PROGRAM FEATURE: MATERNAL HEALTH
As a first-time parent, you are faced with so many new questions and challenges that you’re not even sure where to start searching for answers. How do I know that my baby is eating enough? Where can I find affordable local day care and health care? What if I do everything wrong? These questions are common for many first-time parents, and Acenda staff are happy to provide the answers to these questions and more for local moms and dads.
Our Programs for Babies, Moms & Dads are designed to help families grow and develop by ensuring that they have access to proper services and supports in their communities. Our Healthy Families, Nurse-Family Partnership, and Parents as Teachers programs currently serve families in five southern New Jersey counties. While each program is focused on serving parents and their babies, they each differ slightly in the services offered.
Healthy Families serves families living in Cumberland, Gloucester, and Salem counties and provides in-home education and supportive services to new and expectant parents through the child’s 3rd birthday. Home visitors work to link parents to existing social service and health care resources, and promote positive parenting and healthy child growth and development.
Nurse-Family Partnership pairs first-time moms with a personal registered nurse to ensure the best possible pregnancy outcome, the best health and development of the baby, and to help link mom to community resources. Moms can keep the service until their child’s 2nd birthday. NFP is currently offered through Acenda in Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, and Salem counties.
Parents as Teachers provides health and parenting education and supportive services to families. Home Visitors educate families on prenatal health, infant/child health and development, positive parenting practices, nurturing parent-child relationships, child safety, and education and employment. Parents as Teachers services can last until the child is about to enter kindergarten and are available to Gloucester and Salem County residents.
One of the most important aspects of our Programs for Babies, Moms & Dads is that services are entirely voluntary and are provided at no cost to participants. These programs ensure children are ready to learn, grow, and develop to their fullest potential while also helping parents achieve their own life, education, and professional goals.
Briana’s Story
Briana had just moved to a new town to pursue an exciting career opportunity when she found out she was pregnant with her first child. With the start of a new job and her family living so far away, Briana was extremely unsure of what her future would hold and had so many questions about how to raise a baby. After hearing about our Nurse-Family Partnership program from her doctor, Briana called Acenda and was connected with a Registered Nurse who immediately calmed her concerns and assured her that everything was going to be okay. Throughout the pregnancy, Briana’s nurse answered all of her questions and remained by her side through doctor’s appointments and home visits. Briana successfully delivered a baby girl and is now thriving both in her new career and her new role as a mom.
If you or someone you know could benefit from receiving services through our Maternal Health programs, click the button below to request additional information.
How You Can Help
Some of our new parents come from challenging backgrounds and may lack the financial means to afford baby essentials such as diapers, wipes, and clothing. Our supporters are always invited and encouraged to donate new items to benefit the new moms and dads in our programs as they embark on their journey into parenthood. To learn more about how you can organize a drive for baby items, contact our Development & Marketing Team at development@acendahealth.org
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