Southern Nevada Health District hosts Nurse Family Partnership graduation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 8, 2015

LAS VEGAS – The Southern Nevada Health District is hosting a graduation for mothers and children graduating from its Nurse-Family Partnership Program today. The ceremony will take place from 1p.m.-4 p.m. at Nevada Partners, 710 W. Lake Mead Blvd., Las Vegas, Nevada, 89030.

The Nurse-Family Partnership is an evidence-based home visiting program that partners registered nurses with vulnerable first-time mothers through their child’s second birthday. The Health District’s program began in 2008. Since that time, more than 600 mothers have enrolled in the program. First-time mothers in the early stages of pregnancy are teamed up with Health District nurses who provide early intervention services along with intensive education throughout the pregnancy and through the child’s early developmental years.

“The Nurse-Family Partnership Program is public health at its best,” said Dr. Joe Iser, District Health Officer for the Southern Nevada Health District.

“It is an evidence-based program that empowers our clients to make a healthier and better life for themselves and their families. In turn, this provides benefits for our community as a whole – the ultimate goal of any public health program,” said Dr. Iser.

The median age of clients in the program is 19 years old. Of the more than 360 children that have been born since the inception of the program, only 27 have been premature, and 94.4 percent of their mothers initiated breastfeeding. On a national scale the Nurse-Family Partnership has a history of success in improving prenatal health, reducing childhood injuries, reducing the participant’s subsequent pregnancies, increasing intervals between births, increasing maternal employment, and improving school readiness.

More information on the Health District’s Nurse-Family Partnership Program is available at: http://www.southernnevadahealthdistrict.org/community-health-nursing/nurse-family-partnership.php.

The Southern Nevada Health District serves as the local public health authority for Clark County, Boulder City, Henderson, Las Vegas, Mesquite and North Las Vegas. The agency safeguards the public health of the community’s residents and visitors through innovative programs, regulations, and initiatives focused on protecting and promoting their health and well-being. More information about the Health District, its programs, services, and the regulatory oversight it provides is available at www.SNHD.info. Follow the Health District on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.