London, ON – With clients telling stories of lives changed for the better by a pilot project started last February, the Middlesex-London Health Unit formally launched the Nurse-Family Parnership® (NFP) this morning. The announcement was also attended by Deputy Premier and London North Centre MPP, Deb Matthews, who first announced a $351,000 grant in September of 2015, through Ontario’s Local Poverty Reduction Fund, that led to the creation of the Canadian Nurse-Family Partnership Education (CaNE) project.
Led by the MLHU, the CaNE project is a collaboration of the City of Toronto’s Public Health Division, the Regional Municipality of York’s Public Health Branch, City of Hamilton’s Public Health Services, NFP International (University of Colorado) and McMaster University. By providing specialized NFP education to public health nurses and managers, CaNE made it possible to develop, pilot and evaluate a Canadian version of the NFP.
First started in the United States, the NFP is an intensive, evidence-based, home-visiting program, for young, low-income, first-time mothers, that matches them with a specialized public health nurse who establishes a rapport and builds a partnership starting before the birth of the child and continuing through the first two years of life. Through randomized control trials in the U.S., the NFP has resulted in improved pregnancy outcomes and throughout childrens’ growth and development, as well as enhanced economic self-sufficiency for parents.
“There is a clear need for the Nurse-Family Parnership® in London and Middlesex County. We have already had 58 young women referred to us, 42 of whom are actively involved in the program right now,” says Dr. Christopher Mackie, Medical Officer of Health and CEO. “We are already seeing tangible benefits and positive results from the program that will make a difference in the lives of these women and their families.”
The Health Unit has been raising awareness about the NFP among local service providers, community partners and the public in an effort to recruit women to the program.
“I have been looking forward to hearing about the impact of the Nurse-Family Partnership® since our government invested in it through the Local Poverty Reduction Fund in 2015. The feedback from families involved to date speaks to an incredible success story for our community,” says Deputy Premier and MPP London North Centre, Deb Matthews. “I am so pleased the evidence will be shared across the province as we continue to work to end poverty in Ontario.”
“I’ve seen a renewed sense of hope and determination in my daughter since she’s been involved in the Nurse-Family Parnership®,” says Celina Strickler, parent of an NFP program participant. “The benefits that result from the kind of close, supportive and positive relationships that have grown through this program, are beyond measure.”
Media Contact:
Dan Flaherty, Communications Manager, Middlesex-London Health Unit, 519-663-5317 extension 2469 or 519-617-0570 (cell.)
Spokesperson:
Jennifer Proulx, Manager, Best Beginnings and NFP, Middlesex-London Health Unit