Mississippi § 41-117-3 - Authorization to establish Nurse-Family Partnership Pilot program; components of program; program goals.

§ 41-117-3. Authorization to establish Nurse-Family Partnership Pilot program; components of program; program goals.

The State Board of Health is authorized, in its discretion, to establish a Nurse-Family Partnership Pilot program in the State Department of Health, in conjunction with the Nurse-Family Partnership National Service Office.The pilot program shall be conditioned upon the availability of funds obtained for such purpose from public or private services. The program is an evidence-based, voluntary, nurse home visitation program that improves the health and well-being of low-income, first-time pregnant women and their children.The Nurse-Family Partnership Pilot program includes, but is not limited to, the following components: Eligibility criteria for the program include first-time pregnancy before the twenty-eighth week of gestation, and being eligible for Medicaid. Registered nurses, by making home visits to pregnant women, provide education, support and guidance regarding pregnancy and maternal health, child health and development, parenting, the mother’s life course development, and identifying and using family and community supports. Home visits begin before the twenty-eighth week of pregnancy, and continue on a weekly or biweekly basis until the child turns two (2) years old. The goals of the Nurse-Family Partnership Pilot program are to: Improve pregnancy outcomes by helping women engage in good preventive health practices, including thorough prenatal care from their health care providers, improving their diets, and reducing their use of cigarettes, alcohol and illegal substances. Improve child health and development by helping parents provide responsible and competent care. Improve the economic self-sufficiency of the family by helping parents develop a vision for their own future, plan future pregnancies, continue their education and find work.