Blair County Moms Partner with Nurses for Healthier Futures

In Blair County, a transformative program is reshaping the journey of first-time mothers.

 

The Nurse-Family Partnership pairs income-eligible pregnant women with registered nurses who provide guidance from early pregnancy until the child reaches two years old.

 

These dedicated nurses assist mothers in navigating medical, emotional, and developmental aspects of pregnancy.

 

They also connect families with essential resources such as housing, counseling, and childcare support.

 

Since its inception in 2002, the program has supported over 1,500 mothers in Blair County.

 

One participant, now a national ambassador, shared, "When the Nurse-Family Partnership came into my life, that was a blessing. Without Lynn setting me up, I would have been a lost soul and probably would have taken my life when they took my child. So, she not only saved my life but my son’s, and I’m hoping my voice can save other children and moms out there."

 

Supervisor Lynn Watt expressed her passion, stating, "With the Nurse-Family Partnership, I am blessed to do this job. I have never seen such resiliency and people that want to be good mothers; it is unbelievable, and so I’m blessed, truly, to do a job that I am so very, very passionate about."

 

The program operates under the UPMC umbrella, serving nine counties, including Blair, Bedford, Cambria, Somerset, and Jefferson.

 

It offers generous income guidelines for qualifying mothers, ensuring broad accessibility.

 

In a region where child welfare services have faced challenges, initiatives like the Nurse-Family Partnership play a crucial role in supporting families and fostering healthier communities.

 

For more information or to determine eligibility, prospective participants are encouraged to contact the program directly.