Nurse-Family Partnership

Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) is a free, supportive program for parents having their first baby. When you enroll in NFP, you are connected with your own personal nurse who visits with you during pregnancy and until your baby turns two years old. This program has been proven to benefit the health and well-being of families.

Eligibility 

Any pregnant individual who meets all of the criteria below can enroll in the Nurse-Family Partnership:

  • 28 weeks or earlier in pregnancy.
  • First-time parent (not applicable for Lummi families).
  • Eligible for Medicaid/Apple Health/WIC (no income requirement for Lummi families).
  • Lives in Whatcom County.

Referrals to NFP 

If you are a service provider, please refer any interested clients by completing our NFP referral form (PDF) and sending by fax or email. Feel free to call or text Erin Schuldt, RN to consult on any referrals at 360-303-9653. Please do not include any specific client information via text.

Self-Referral to NFP

Are you a first-time parent and curious to learn more about our program and how it could benefit you? Call or text Erin Schuldt, our program supervisor, at 360-303-9653 or email us to ask questions or sign up. You can also learn more on the Nurse-Family Partnership website.

What to Expect

Having your first child is a big change and often brings challenges along with all of the joy! All parents benefit from added support during this time. Your nurse is there to listen with care to your questions and concerns, provide non-judgmental information and support you to be the best parent you can be. 

What does it cost? This program is free.

Where do visits take place? In your home or wherever else you prefer (coffee shop, library, our office).

How often are visits? Roughly every two weeks but the program is flexible to work with your schedule. Visits start in pregnancy and continue until your child turns age two.

Can my partner/friend/family member participate? Yes – they are welcome but not required.

What will we talk about on visits? Maybe you have a million questions, or maybe you are not sure what you would like to talk about.  Either one is just fine and you and your nurse will have plenty to cover, including:

  • Have a healthy pregnancy and healthy baby.
  • Become a prepared and confident parent.
  • Build a network of support for you and your baby.
  • Connect to resources that can assist your family. 
  • Pursue schooling and/or employment.
  • Assist you in your journey towards a happy future

What NFP families Say About the Program 

  • 90% of Whatcom NFP families surveyed say the Nurse-Family Partnership has made a significant impact on their life.
  • 95% would recommend NFP to a friend or family member.
  •  “When I became pregnant, I was lost, panicking, had never even changed a diaper, and didn’t have family support to lean on. NFP was a life saver. I’m now confident in being a parent and…without NFP, I wouldn’t have been nearly as prepared or able to support my child as I do now. “  -Whatcom NFP Participant
  • “NFP provides so much to babies and their families-from postpartum support to mental health screenings to help with understanding how your baby is developing to just having someone to talk to besides a baby! New moms, and dads, need all the help and socializing they can get, and NFP provides that, as well as someone your baby can grow to know and have a relationship with. Your nurse also becomes a very easily accessible resource for all of the millions of random questions that end up floating around in your brain when you have a new baby!” –Whatcom NFP Participant