Pregnant Women Can Get Help from a Personal Nurse

 

Women who are pregnant with their first child can receive regular visits from a nurse in the privacy of their own home through the Nurse Family Partnership program offered by Project Self-Sufficiency.  Eligible, first-time mothers of all ages are paired with a nurse who visits them throughout the pregnancy and up until the child’s second birthday.  The visiting nurses provide support, education and counseling on health, behavioral and self-sufficiency issues.  Access to food, diapers, clothing, and additional resources for children are provided during each visit.

 

Nurse-Family Partnership is founded on the pioneering work of David Olds, professor of pediatrics, psychiatry, and preventive medicine at the University of Colorado in Denver.  Olds' determination to help young children and families get a better start in life led to the development of a nurse home visitation program for first-time, low-income moms and their children.  The voluntary program was tested extensively prior to its launch in 1996; since then, it has served more than 409,800 families in 40 states, Washington, D.C., the United States Virgin Islands, and some tribal communities.  The initiative is one of three different home visitation programs for young mothers which is provided by Project Self-Sufficiency to families in northwestern New Jersey.

 

 “Our goal is to improve pregnancy outcomes, and to assist parents with improving early childhood development, while helping the family to move towards economic self-sufficiency,” explains Deborah Berry-Toon, Executive Director of Project Self-Sufficiency.  “All of the home visitation programs offered by Project Self-Sufficiency are designed to empower mothers to be the best parents they can be.”

 

Nurse Family Partnership is one the most rigorously tested programs of its kind.  Mothers and children who have participated in the program have consistently demonstrated significantly improved prenatal health, fewer subsequent pregnancies, increased maternal employment, improved child school readiness, reduced involvement in crime, and less child abuse, neglect, and injuries.

 

Those who are interested in learning more about the Nurse-Family Partnership, or any of the other programs offered at Project Self-Sufficiency, are encouraged to call 973-940-3500, or enroll online at www.projectselfsufficiency.org.

Learn about Infant First Aid

 

Project Self-Sufficiency will host a special Baby Beginnings event Friday, May 30^th, 1:00 p.m., to help pregnant women and parents of young children to access the resources they need to be successful.  The event will feature targeted discussions about infant first aid, along with free baby items, prizes and giveaways.  Participants will also learn about free and reduced cost activities for families, early childhood development, positive parenting techniques, and other topics related to early childhood health, safety and education. Lunch will be provided. Pregnant women and parents of young children are invited to call 973-940-3500 to register. The Baby Beginnings event is part of a series which supplements Project Self-Sufficiency’s robust programs for pregnant women and parents of young children, including home visitation programs, monthly Mommy Parties, and Parent Cafes.

 

“We are excited to be offering these innovative and fun gatherings to the community,” explains Deborah Berry-Toon, Executive Director of Project Self-Sufficiency.  “Pregnant women and parents of young children have a great need for accurate information about a host of topics, and these Baby Beginnings Fairs will allow them to receive up-to-date health and wellness advice, as well as free items for baby and family.”

 

To register for Baby Beginnings, to discuss your parenting needs, or to find out more about other programs and services available at Project Self-Sufficiency, call 973-940-3500. 

Summer Jobs Program for Teens Enrolling Now

 

A select number of teens can receive paid employment and learn valuable workplace skills at the Summer Youth Employment Program at Project Self-Sufficiency, Monday – Thursday, July 7^th – August 15^th. Rising Sussex County high school sophomores and juniors are invited to apply; eligibility guidelines include family income, transportation status, current enrollment in high school, and other factors.  Candidates will be assessed and interviewed prior to admittance to the program. Free transportation to and from Project Self-Sufficiency will be provided to participants; use of the transportation program and references from high school staff members are required.  Those who have previously participated in the Summer Youth Employment Program are ineligible.  Space is extremely limited; applications must be received by June 13th. 

 

The Summer Youth Employment Program offers teens a wide variety of work experiences, handling everything from clerical tasks to assisting with landscaping projects on the Project Self-Sufficiency campus and at select sites throughout the area.  Teens are also given daily classroom instruction about workplace etiquette, resume development, interview skills, and other topics at Project Self-Sufficiency’s state-of-the-art Career Center.

 

The program has a measurable impact on the adolescents it serves.  “For many of these young people, the Summer Youth Employment Program is their first workplace experience,” comments Deborah Berry-Toon, Executive Director of Project Self-Sufficiency.  “This program allows teens to explore their interests and aptitudes, introduces them to basic job skills, and gives them guidance about workplace expectations.  The experience gives teens a foothold in the working world and often serves as a springboard into a future career.”

 

Interested applicants should visit www.projectselfsufficiency.org/summer-youth-employment-program to download an application.  Completed applications must be submitted by June 13th; eligible applicants will be contacted to set up an interview.  Call Project Self-Sufficiency at 973-940-3500 for more information.