There’s no greater responsibility than raising a child. Who should do that alone?
If you asked Adrian McKinney, manager of Texas Children’s Nurse Family Partnership (NFP), she’d say no one. Thanks to McKinney and her team, more than 625 first-time mothers and 487 children have benefited from personalized nursing support since 2009.
That’s 10 years of taking pre-natal and post-partum care directly into the home of Texas Children’s Health Plan members. Certainly something worth celebrating.
“We couldn’t be more pleased about the success we’ve had as a team,” McKinney said. “Our mothers are all entering one of the most challenging times in life and if we can help make preventative health care a priority before their children are born then we’ve already won.”
And that is ultimately the focus of the program. Much like a strong pre-school experience is important to the educational life of a child, so is a good prenatal experience. If the seeds for success are planted early there is time to yield an incredible result.
Rachael Mumbach knows this personally. Mumbach is currently enrolled in the NFP program and calls it an answered prayer. She is mom to little Alaina, who will be two-years-old in December.
“As a first-time mom you get so much inconsistent information about how to handle your pregnancy and raise your children. Your mom and grandmother will tell you one thing. Your boss and your friends will tell you something different,” she said. “They all mean well, but you don’t really know what’s right and what’s wrong.”
Mumbach’s nursing partner, Savanah Ryan, has been an NFP nurse for six years and thoroughly enjoys her work. “Every day looks completely different,” she said. “We are on the road, in homes and providing that hands-on support that our moms need. It’s a joy.”
More than mom
Although moms are the primary focus of the program’s coaching model, McKinney says other family members can also be involved in the sessions. “Dads, grandparents, friends and others who will be part of the child’s support system can absolutely take part in the sessions. We want to make sure that as many people as possible are informed and prepared for the baby’s arrival.”
Who teaches what?
McKinney’s team of nurses conduct weekly and semi-monthly sessions. They teach on topics such as maternal health, sexual health, depression, anxiety, drug use, general child development, parenting and more. Nurses on the team are:
- Savannah Ryan
- Galynn Jackson
- Natalie Nichols
- Jeanette De Leon
- Erika Dunn
A big congratulations to the entire team on their 10-year anniversary and successful outcomes for moms.
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The Bottom Line
- Any first-time mother who is a member of Texas Children’s Health Plan and no more than 25 weeks pregnant may be eligible for NFP Services.
- Anyone who is interested and thinks they may be eligible can contact Mary Perez at 832-828-1274, mmperez1@texaschildrens.org
- Want more information about NFP? Visit nursefamilypartnership.org