Proven effective through extensive research.
From a healthy babies program to crime prevention, Nurse-Family Partnership is validated by research.
Consistent program effects
A cornerstone of Nurse-Family Partnership is the extensive research on the model conducted over the last three decades. Randomized, controlled trials were conducted with three diverse populations beginning in Elmira, New York, in 1977; in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1990; and in Denver, Colorado, in 1994. All three trials targeted first-time, low-income mothers. Follow-up research continues today, studying the long-term outcomes for mothers and children in these three trials.
The level of proven effectiveness demonstrated is unsurpassed in evidence-based home visitation programs. The program effects that have the strongest evidentiary foundations are those that have been found in at least two of the three trials and are listed below.
Improved prenatal health
Fewer childhood injuries
Fewer subsequent pregnancies
Increased intervals between births
Increased maternal employment
Improved school readiness
About the research
A randomized, controlled trial is the most rigorous research method for measuring the effectiveness of an intervention. This type of trial is required by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for new drugs or medical devices to determine their effectiveness and safety before they are made available to the public. Because of their cost and complexity, these kinds of trials are not often used to evaluate complex health and human services.
In addition, important data from all home visits are continuously collected from Nurse-Family Partnership implementing agencies through the Nurse-Family Partnership National Service Office's web-based data collection system. These data are analyzed and returned to local Nurse-Family Partnership implementing agencies to provide them with information on their progress toward meeting Nurse-Family Partnership's implementation benchmarks in improving maternal and child health.