Goodwill Nurse-Family Partnership® (NFP) pairs first-time parents with registered nurses to ensure they have the resources and support they need during their child’s most developmentally critical years. This support includes connections to invaluable community resources that can assist with food access, employment, housing – and mental health, an important aspect in a parent’s wellness.

For parents who need a greater level of support in their mental health journey, nurses can refer enrolled parents to the Goodwill NFP Mental Health Team. Composed of five full-time mental health clinicians, this team conducts one-on-one therapy with parents who are enrolled in Goodwill NFP.  They’re a highly skilled team, with each member being trained in perinatal mood disorders and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing.

“We can work together so easily,” said Ashleigh Harmon, a nurse home visitor with Goodwill NFP. “Just being able to email, text or call the mental health team about a specific parent is super helpful! Staying in the loop ensures that we can get our families what they need.”

Ashleigh not only appreciates the team’s open communication, but also the effects the mental health care has on the families she works with and her role in their lives. The Goodwill NFP Mental Health Team provides assessments, consultations and education that can help nurses identify risk and help clients. Additionally, parents' access to the care they need means that Ashleigh can focus more of her time with them on child development, education and other goals they have.

“Learning coping skills and processing trauma just changes parents’ physical demeanor and how they interact with their children,” said Ashleigh. 

CJ, one of the parents Ashleigh works with, has also been able to sense a change in herself.

“I live in a different state of mind,” said CJ. “My frustration, anxiety and stress aren’t even there anymore.”

CJ had negative experiences with mental health care providers in the past. However, as she began to work with the Goodwill Mental Health Team, she felt she could open up to her therapist almost immediately. She appreciates the expertise and passion that her therapist brings to her appointments.

“My therapist is the best one I’ve ever had,” said CJ. “I stay positive. Children mirror what they see. My child has to learn to smile and laugh through me.”

CJ has benefited from Goodwill NFP’s resource connections as well. Through Goodwill NFP, CJ was introduced to River Valley Resources and Choices Life Resource Center. These community partners have helped CJ pay for daycare and maintain employment.

“When I found out I was pregnant, I was so scared,” said CJ. “But because of Goodwill NFP and these programs, I’ve grown as a person. I want to be the adult I needed when I was a kid.”

CJ enjoys being able to spend time with and financially support her family. She has also worked with her therapist to continue working on her mental health after she graduates from Goodwill NFP. 

“I want to continue doing what I’m doing and being who I am for my kids,” said CJ.

Visit our website to learn more about Goodwill NFP.