The Strong Families Vermont program is an evidence based home visiting model. The data is based on Strong Families VT collection protocols collected at visits and entered into Strong Families VT database. Recently the Nurse Home Visiting program has gone through a lot of changes and we're still in the process of rebuilding the data system. Under the new program we're looking at any postpartum mothers breastfeeding whereas before we were only looking at breastfeeding rates at 4 weeks postpartum. Q4 of 2018 was the first quarter represtenting these changes and is likely why the data looks so different.  

Vermont's Home Health Agencies are the host of the Strong Families Vermont Nurse Home Visiting Program. The Strong Families VT program is a service provided under the Children Integrated Services (CIS) umbrella. Community partners include: CIS teams members, CIS coordinators, Local Health District office staff, Community Advisory Board, Child Development Division (CDD), Primary care physicians, OB/GYN providers, School nurses, and Planned Parenthood.

http://vnavt.com

http://dcf.vermont.gov/cdd/cis

Maternal and child health nurse home visitors are the backbone of Strong Families Vermont. All Strong Families VT nurses have been trained and certified in breastfeeding education and support. A nurse-led maternal health and home visitation program partners low-income, mothers with maternal and child health nurses. The resulting trusted relationship gives the mothers the support they need to have a healthy pregnancy, improve their child's health and development, and become more economically self-sufficient

MCH will continue to collaborate with Vermont's home health agencies to insure a cadre of nurse home visitors who are adequately trained in providing breastfeeding education and support. Strong Families Vermont nurse home visitors will continue to educate and support mothers who choose to breastfeed their infants.