Goodwill Nurse-Family Partnership, a program that pairs registered nurses with first-time parents and their families, will expand to serve even more Hoosiers in the coming year. Thanks to funding from both the Indiana State Department of Health and the Lilly Endowment in 2022, the evidence-based model can now be implemented in 61 Indiana counties, increasing the NFP Nurse capacity for families facing concentrated barriers. 

Goodwill’s NFP Nurses are specially educated to provide prenatal care and support to families so they can achieve a healthy pregnancy and birth. The nurses share trusted information on how to bond with and keep their babies safe. They assist parents and their families with breastfeeding, safe sleep, prenatal care, reducing infant death and encouraging smoking cessation – all in an effort to support the Indiana Department of Health and Governor Holcomb’s goal to be “Best in the Midwest” in lowering the state’s infant mortality rate.

Since its implementation in 2011, Goodwill NFP has served more than 5,000 families experiencing overlapping barriers.

Highlights of the program include:

• 80% of NFP-enrolled parents who self-reported tobacco use during pregnancy quit or reduced before their child’s birth.
• 89% of NFP-enrolled Indiana babies are born full-term.
• To date, the program has ensured the best start for more than 4000 babies.

As the program expands into more counties, including some which are maternal care deserts, these metrics of success should only increase. Most importantly, the Indiana infant mortality rate can be improved even further by a greater area of service. Goodwill NFP is resolutely committed to lowering this rate, which is not only affected by factors like inadequate prenatal care and unsafe sleep conditions, but also socioeconomic factors.

"Research indicates poverty, education and employment status can greatly affect infant mortality, ” said president and CEO of Goodwill of Central and Southern Indiana, Kent A. Kramer. “Goodwill Nurse-Family Partnership works to break generational cycles to provide the very best start for Hoosier children.”

To refer someone to Goodwill Nurse-Family Partnership, contact nfp@goodwillindy.org or call 317.524.3999.