County Health Department Fill-In-The-Blank News Release Children First 10^th Anniversary and Award

For Release:   _____
Contact: (Administrative Director)
______ County Health Department

(405) 271-5601

Oklahoma’s Children First Program Honored
Children First Program Nurse-Family Partnership Celebrates 10th Anniversary 

An award honoring the State of Oklahoma was presented at a recent reception to celebrate 10 years of Oklahoma’s Children First Nurse-Family Partnership.  Lt. Gov. Jari Askins accepted the award, which was given by the Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) National Service Office in Denver, Colo. The award marked the 10th anniversary of the first statewide implementation of the Nurse-Family Partnership model in the United States.

“This marks an important milestone for Children First and we feel it is important to recognize the continued support of Gov. Brad Henry and the Oklahoma State Legislature.  This program helps ensure that first-time parents receive the support they need to care for their child,” said Children First Director Mildred Ramsey.  

Insert quote about your local CHD Children First Nurse-Family Partnership program:  “_________________________________________________________,” said _____ County Health Department Administrative Director_____. 

The Nurse-Family Partnership model is a nationally recognized, evidence-based prevention program that has been praised by the National Institute for Early Education Research, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Justice, the Office of the Surgeon General and the President’s New Freedom Commission on Mental Health. 

The Children First Nurse-Family Partnership has enrolled almost 29,000 families over the past ten years.  Outcomes for the program include:

• An infant mortality rate that is approximately one-half of the rate for other first-time births in Oklahoma
• High immunization rate
• Significant reduction in smoking during pregnancy among participating women
• High rates of breastfeeding initiation when compared to state rates

The Children First Nurse-Family Partnership enrolls women who are less than 29 weeks pregnant with their first baby and the family’s income must be less than 185 percent of the federal poverty level.  The program provides home visits to the family until the child’s second birthday. Nurses provide health and developmental assessments, education and referrals, and support to families needing help to cope with the demands of caregiving, working or continuing their education.

For more information about the Children First Nurse-Family Partnership, call the _____ County Health Department at (phone number) to see if you qualify to enroll, or visit this Web site: http://www.ok.gov/health/Child_and_Family_Health/Family_Support_and_Prevention_Service/Children_First_Program/index.html

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(Photo cut line from left to right: Secretary of Health and State Health Commissioner Dr. Mike Crutcher, Lt. Governor Jari Askins, Founder of the National Nurse-Family Partnership Dr. David Olds.)