Nurse-Family Partnership Celebrates Mothers

May 24, 2019

On Tuesday, May 14, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Tyler’s Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP), an evidence-based community health program that combines nurses with first-time expectant mothers, celebrated nearly 40 mothers at their second annual event. The occasion served to recognize the mothers within NFP, their families and their progression through the program. “We wanted to celebrate each mother who has chosen to take the step towards being an awesome mom by working with an NFP Nurse. It is an intimate process working with our nurses, but each one decided to take charge and be the best mother they can be,” commented Laura Young, NFP nursing supervisor.

Nearing 150 attendees, the event was bustling as the NFP provided lunch, a craft, a speaker and an abundance of resources for the mothers. Tables lined the walls with representatives from approximately 20 different organizations prepared to offer information for the NFP moms.

“A big part of our role in NFP is to assist our clients in finding community resources available to help them be the best they can be. Each resource that attended met the needs of our moms in one way or another. There were a variety of organizations offering resources such as education, support, nutritional advisement, childcare, mentorship and many more. The bottom line is, parents don’t know what they don’t know. The resources provided were there to educate and inform the families of opportunities that may be available,” Young remarked.

This year’s theme was nurturing, bonding, attaching and how to be intentional in doing so. Kristin Ono, educational specialist for Champions for Children, served as the speaker. She discussed the importance of bonding, attachment, nurturing and what parents can do to increase these efforts to ensure their children grow up healthy, happy and well-adjusted.

Organizations in attendance included:

• 1:3 Foundation.
• Amerigroup Health Plan.
• Champions for Children.
• East Texas Food Bank.
• East Texas Human Needs Network.
• Green Acres Baptist Church Women’s Ministry.
• Hope Cottage.
• Tyler Public Library.
• Literacy Council of Tyler.
• Sex Education.
• Superior Health Plan.
• Tyler Family Circle of Care.
• WIC – Women, Infants and Children Program
• Women’s Health Grants.
• Workforce Center: Childcare & Employment.
• YoungLives