Statements

Mission

Nurses for Newborns of Tennessee exists to provide a safety net for families most at-risk in order to prevent infant mortality, child abuse and neglect by providing in-home nursing visits which promote healthcare, education, and positive parenting skills.

Background

WHAT WE DO: Nurses for Newborns of Tennessee (NFN) is a registered nurse, prevention-based, home visitation program dedicated to reducing infant morality and child abuse/neglect by providing health assessments, parenting skills, education and support to at-risk families. NFN provides a variety of in-home nursing support to medically fragile babies (e.g. infants born premature, drug exposed or experiencing failure to thrive, congenital anomalies, or birth complications), mothers with medical, mental health, or substance abuse concerns and teenage parents in peril. Supporting services include assessments, positive-parenting education, review and instruction on home environmental safety, and education/referral assistance to more thoroughly respond to specific needs of clients.

HOW WE GOT STARTED: Nurses for Newborns Foundation was founded in 1991 in St. Louis, MO by Sharon Rohrbach, RN. Our agency expanded to Nashville in October 2001 through the generous support of (then) NFL Tennessee Titans's Offensive Tackle Fred Miller and his former wife Kim. Since that time, NFN nurses have completed more than 76,850 in-home or virtual nurse visits impacting 10,300 families across Middle Tennessee.

HOW WE CONTINUE TO FULFILL OUR MISSION: NFN serves as a safety net for families most at-risk. We have a variety of strategic partners that support us in our mission. Area hospitals, health care providers, and other non-profits assist in identifying families in need and referring to Nurses for Newborns. We receive funding through multiple state grants and five United Ways, who provide us with programmatic support; and many local corporations, foundations, and individuals who serve as key facilitators for financial and volunteer support.

Impact

Nurses for Newborns is dedicated to preventing infant mortality, child abuse and neglect in Tennessee. Our model of care is a unique, prevention-based, home visitation program with the expertise of registered nurses. We focus on health assessments, education and linkage to needed resources. NFN has accomplished much in the prevention of infant mortality, neglect, and child abuse. NFN is currently working to be recognized as a evidence-based model for Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting. As NFN looks ahead, our goals are in place to help us achieve quality services for high risk populations. NFN works to improve infant immunization rates therefore decreasing preventable diseases. NFN continues to link babies to long-term quality healthcare by increasing 'medical home' coverage. NFN promotes household safety including safe sleep practices. NFN continues to support culturally sensitive interaction with non-English speaking families through the use of our medical interpretation support during nurse home visits. NFN continues to provide client education on smoking and obesity, which are significant health factors that impact birth outcomes, and are risk factors for premature births.

Needs

Nurses for Newborns of Tennessee works to reduce infant mortality by ensuring families caring for young children have the sufficient skills and knowledge to help their child thrive. Our objectives help children safely reach their first birthday in good health and affirm they are being cared for by parents attuned and able to respond to their needs. Support can be provided in the following ways:

- General financial support to offset agency expenses associated with nurse in-home visits.
- Corporate or congregational support (underwriting) of an agency nurse position.
- Assistance with public relations/marketing for our organization, funding campaigns and special events.
- Community volunteers (interns, donation coordinators, and special event support).
- Volunteers are needed to help support our agency fundraising events.
- Self-coordinated donation drives are also helpful to replenish infant consumables (diapers, wipes, lotion, Dreft laundry detergent, etc.).

We would be happy to talk with your organization about this, and provide supporting materials to help you spread the word!

CEO Statement

Did you know that Tennessee continues to be ranked among the bottom in the U.S. for losing infants before their first birthday? Nurses for Newborns serves families that each have unique issues. Many are poor and have had few positive role models for parenting. They lack basic needs such as food, shelter and safety. Our nurses help provide the linkage to meet not only their basic needs but they also provide the education to promote positive and healthy families. Other families have major health issues for either the caregivers or infant. These families are dealing with the physical and emotional stress that comes with sick family members. Our nurses help provide the knowledge and support to assist these families. We are very proud of our work. The babies we see are much more likely to see their first birthdays and are much less likely to be abused or neglected during their childhoods. With your help we can provide families with medically fragile babies, teen parents with newborns, and moms who have medical, mental health, or substance abuse concerns and are trying their best to care for their babies, the chance for a brighter tomorrow. On behalf of the lives we touch, thank you for your generous support of Nurses for Newborns.

Service Categories
Primary Category:	Health Care  - Nursing
Secondary Category:	Human Services  - Children's and Youth Services
Tertiary Category:	Education  - Parent & Teacher Groups

Areas Served

Nurse home visitation service coverage is available in eight counties in Middle Tennessee including Cheatham, Davidson, Maury, Montgomery, Robertson, Rutherford, Sumner, and Williamson.

TN - Cheatham

TN - Robertson

TN - Davidson

TN - Montgomery

TN - Rutherford

TN - Sumner

TN - Williamson

TN - Maury