Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP), established in Buncombe County in October 2009, has supported over 1,100 families. NFP is an evidence-based community health program designed to help vulnerable first-time mothers during pregnancy and their children’s early years. Each mother is paired with a registered nurse who provides home visits throughout her pregnancy and continues support until her child’s second birthday. To qualify, first-time mothers must enroll before 29 weeks of pregnancy, and mothers with one or more children must enroll before delivery.

Nurse-Family Partnership Goals:

• Improve pregnancy outcomes by helping women engage in healthy habits, including prenatal care, better nutrition, and reducing harmful substances like cigarettes, alcohol, and illegal drugs.
• Promote child health and development by guiding parents to provide responsible, caring, and competent care.
• Enhance economic self-sufficiency by helping parents plan for their future, pursue education, and find employment.

The NFP program aims to help mothers and children have healthier lives and build a better future for their families.

https://www.buncombecounty.org/Governing/Depts/Health/nfp.aspx

• The Nurse-Family Partneship program supported with 66 births in FY22, and 58 of those had a postnatal assessment from the first six weeks of birth
• There were 39 babies who were born 39 weeks or later, all of them weighing over 5 lbs 8 ounces
•  There were 80 participants enrolled in in 2022 receiving 246 visits/services
• There were 72 Nurse-Family Partnership graduations in 2022 for families who have completed services and no longer need supports

• The Nurse-Family Partnership program supported with 91 births in FY 23
• There were 9 babies (9.8%) born 37 weeks or later, all of them weighing under 5 lbs and 8 ounces
• There were 10 babies (10.98%) born prematurely (before 37 weeks)
• Nurse-Family Partnership graduation rate for 2023 was 70.59%