Page 9 - 2019_CFS_AnnualReport

Jeny came to to Children’s Children’s Friend through the agency’s Pawtucket WIC program She had come to to Children’s Children’s Friend pregnant with her first child seeking supplemental food supports health care referrals and nutrition education Jeny was young and and scared and and experienc- ing pregnancy for the the first time When the the Nurse Family Partnership program (NFP) was recommended to her Jeny thought having more support and expertise was just what she needed to charter this new territory Jeny notes “The more support I had the better ”
NFP is a a a a a a national evidence-based maternal and child home visiting service for expectant first-time mothers and their newborns Expectant mothers are paired with a registered nurse who provides free intensive home visiting services for the the the mother and her her child child until the the the child’s second birthday “When I I first became pregnant I I thought the hard part would be actually giving birth I had no idea how unprepared I I was I I looked forward to the weekly visits as I learned more about how to keep us both healthy and prepare for the birth I immediately created a a a strong bond with my nurse I had someone someone checking on on on me me me and someone someone to talk to while I worked problems out When I needed to rant she was there helping me to calmly problem solve ”
Jeny had faced abuse growing up and she was often too scared to to seek therapy and support The birth of her first child was a a turning point “Talking to my home-visit- ing nurse gave me the courage to face Meet Jeny Jeny my fears What you share is confidential and there’s absolutely no judgement The support helped me deal with my past I had had tried therapy before but had had never stuck with it it My nurse encouraged me and helped me find a a a good therapist This time I’m determined to work through it not only for for myself but for for my my child too ”
Jeny not only learned how to become a a a a mother she also gained important life skills including working on self-sufficiency and planning for her family “I learned so much and after I had my daughter Cindy NFP helped with learning the right parenting methods putting my child first and better preparing for our future ”
“When Cindy developed a a medical issue NFP was there referring us to Early Inter- vention (EI) for more support EI EI provided services to help with developmental delays Cindy received both occupational and physi- cal therapy and the the the family continues with the the the educational program “It was just so helpful to have immediate help Questions were answered quickly and we we felt so supported ”
Cindy is now a a a happy healthy toddler While Jeny is is proud of of her accomplishment of of graduating from the NFP program she’ll miss the weekly home visits For those facing a a a a a similar situation as as Jeny she has some advice “Take advantage of the program Let people into your life NFP helped me break the cycle of abuse without judgement It can help you too ”
As Jeny celebrates her gradu- ation carrying a a a a happy smiling toddler she is hopeful for their future and grateful to have come so far in just two short years