Helping new families in Kitsap County
Healthy Start Kitsap (HSK) was established in 2004 to address child abuse and neglect in Kitsap County, Washington, by focusing on the socio-economic factors contributing to these issues. After thorough research, HSK identified the Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP), a national program providing home visits from registered nurses to first-time, low-income mothers, as the most effective way to achieve its goals.
Nurse-Family Partnership is backed by evidence
The Nurse-Family Partnership model was developed and thoroughly tested by founder David Olds, PhD. Randomized controlled trials were conducted with three diverse populations beginning in Elmira, New York in 1977; in Memphis, Tennessee in 1987; and in Denver, Colorado in 1994. All three trials targeted first-time mothers affected by social and economic inequality and demonstrated positive results in pregnancy outcomes, maternal health, and child health and development. Follow-up research continues today, in partnership with the Prevention Research Center for Family and Child Health (PRC) at the University of Colorado, studying the long-term outcomes for mothers and children who participated in these trials.
35% fewer cases of pregnancy-induced hyptertension¹
67% fewer behavioral and intellectual problems in children at age 6³
48% reduction in child abuse and neglect²
82% increase in months employed among moms⁴
¹ Kitzman H, et al. Effect of prenatal and infancy home visitation by nurses on pregnancy outcomes, childhood injuries, and repeated childbearing. A randomized controlled trial. JAMA 1997.
² Olds, D.L., et al. (1997). Long-Term Effects of Home Visitation on Maternal Life Course and Child Abuse and Neglect Fifteen-Year Follow-up of a Randomized Trial. JAMA 1997.
³ Olds DL, et al. Effects of nurse home visiting on maternal life-course and child development: age-six follow-up of a randomized trial. Pediatrics 2004.
⁴ Olds DL, Henderson CRJ, Tatelbaum R, Chamberlin R. Improving the life-course development of socially disadvantaged mothers: a randomized trial of nurse home visitation. American Journal of Public Health 1988.
The NFP has been shown to reduce child abuse and neglect by 48%, with a high return on investment. According to the RAND Corporation, every $1 invested in NFP can yield up to $5.70 in return for the highest-risk families served. NFP is often cited by academics and experts in the field as the most effective intervention to prevent child abuse and neglect.
99% of Healthy Start Kitsap funds go directly to supporting NFP needs
Building Lasting Impact
Through collaboration with the Kitsap County Health District, HSK launched the local NFP program in 2010, and it is now successfully operating with various funding sources. While tax dollars support much of the program, HSK bridges funding gaps to meet critical needs that are not covered.
Supporting Local Familes
HSK’s mission is to continue addressing unmet NFP needs and expand its capacity, with a long-term goal of fully funding a Public Health Nurse to serve more families in Kitsap County.