mom is a special one. Nurses meet
with their clients weekly at first, then
biweekly or even monthly until the
baby is born. “We hold our clients
accountable; they’re expected to keep
their appointments with our nurses
and are given homework after each
meeting,” Mrs. Ellis says. The nurse
is not present when the child is born,
but is available to the mother once
she returns home, suppo rting her in
initiating breastfeeding and answering
any questions. Meetings go back to
once a week until the nurse feels the
mother is ready for less frequent visits.
So far the program has welcomed
32 boys and 33 girls into the world,
with three sets of twins. Nurses
continue to work with their clients
until the child’s second birthday, so
none of the children in the Waco
program have “graduated” yet. But
the supporters and staff sustaining the
program already consider it a success.
The feedback from clients has been
heartening, Ms. Meyer says. “They
really do value what these nurses are
bringing to them.”
Ms. Pollard praised the leadership
at Baylor Scott & White Medical
Center - Hillcrest for backing the
program. “They have been extremely
helpful and supportive of our efforts
to do anything we can to improve
the lives of women and children in
Waco,” she says. Ms. Meyer agrees:
“Baylor Scott & White really feels this
program has an impact on the future
health of our community.” n
SECURING OUR EFFORTS
The Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) program at
Baylor Scott & White Medical Center - Hillcrest is
funded by a five-year renewable grant from the Texas
Department of Family and Protective Services. But
there is no guarantee the grant will be renewed.
“Public funding can vary from year to year,”
says Mrs. Allison. To build a financial reserve in
case public money doesn’t come through in the
future, the organizers who established the Nurse-
Family Partnership at Hillcrest also established a
philanthropic fund to continue the program. “Ongoing
philanthropy is important to sustain the program, as
well as grow NFP in the future,” says Rhonda Luker,
director of philanthropy in Waco for the Baylor Scott
& White - Central Texas Foundation.
So far, the sustainability fund has received donations
from area foundations and individuals who are
passionate about the vision of the Nurse-Family
Partnership, Mrs. Luker says. Several private
gatherings are scheduled throughout the spring
to raise money for the program.
The NFP also relies on philanthropy for “extra”
enhancements not covered by the state grant, such
as rocking chairs for every new mother, children’s
books, field trips for children in the program, and
educational events.“A gift to the Nurse-Family
Partnership impacts not just one life, but two lives—
the mother and the baby,” Mrs. Luker says. Ms. Meyer
says, “It helps two generations live healthier and have
a more secure future.”
To make a donation to the Nurse-Family Partnership
program at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center -
Hillcrest, contact Rhonda Luker at 254-202-9553.
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