Researchers Present Evidence to Combat Child Abuse, Poverty, Youth Violence
To: National Desk
Contact: Marie Roda, 717-817-3333, or Trinh Nguyen, 510-867-4184
LOS ANGELES, Oct. 6 /U.S. Newswire/ — Researchers from across the nation are meeting with state and local leaders today to present evidence on a proven-effective program that could lower the incidence of child abuse, juvenile crime and welfare use while increasing school readiness for children and employment for young mothers. California’s “Nurse-Family Partnership Champions” were also honored at the “Summit on Building Healthy Families through Implementation of the Nurse-Family Partnership Program.” The event, supported by a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), was held at the California Endowment’s Center for Healthy Communities and hosted by the Southern California Public Health Association.
David Olds, Ph.D, professor of Pediatrics and director of the Prevention Research Center for Family and Child Health, presented the latest research findings around the effectiveness of the Nurse- Family Partnership program at the summit. “We have been studying and fine tuning this program to constantly improve outcomes and ensure consistent results across multiple community types,” says Olds.
The Nurse-Family Partnership program is widely recognized as a model program by top federal agencies including the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Justice, Department of Education, Office of National Drug Control Policy and the World Health Organization. Nurse-Family Partnership is the most rigorously tested program of its kind and has demonstrated significant positive results for both children and mothers.
Some of the key Nurse-Family Partnership outcomes reported today include:
Benefits to Children
— 48 percent reduction in child abuse and neglect
— 59 percent reduction in arrests by age 15
— 90 percent reduction in adjudications as PINS ((person in need of supervision) for incorrigible behavior)
Benefits to Mothers
— Better education, employment; less welfare
— Fewer unplanned, subsequent pregnancies
— 98 percent fewer days in jail
— More father involvement & support
“Additional new scientific research is uncovering the physiological impact of violence on the developing human brain and the long-term consequences of this exposure,” says California Attorney General Bill Lockyer. “Studies show that children exposed to violence, either as victims or witnesses, are more likely to become juvenile and adult offenders and that’s why we’re here today – - to understand the positive impact Nurse- Family Partnership can have in California.”
“It makes more sense to invest significantly less money today to give high-risk kids and their families the lifelong tools they need to stay healthy, safe and free from crime,” says Paul Walters, Santa Ana chief of police. “If we continue to try to address the problem on the back end, we will continue to pay the ever-increasing costs for remediation and incarceration — things that are much more expensive and far less effective.”
Lynn Karoly, senior economist at the RAND Corporation, also presented findings from a recent study that show a $5.70 return to society for every dollar invested in the Nurse-Family Partnership program (an overall net savings to society of $34,148 per child). “Policymakers need some clear guidelines for choosing prevention programs, including which programs will produce a positive return on their investment,” says Karoly. “The Nurse- Family Partnership program is one that has a favorable economic return and is therefore a wise choice.”
Several state leaders were also honored by the Southern California Public Health Association for promoting the health and well-being of California families including State Sens. George Runner (R) and Debra Bowen (D); California Attorney General Bill Lockyer; Chief Paul Walters, representing the California Chapter of Fight Crime: Invest in Kids; and Sally Snyder, RN, chair of the Children and Families Commission of Orange County. “I am happy to say that California has taken the first steps toward expanding the Nurse-Family Partnership program statewide — allowing opportunities for local communities through a public private partnership venture,” said George Runner (R-Antelope Valley). “Nurse-Family Partnership is a program that has strict accountability and proven results.”
There are currently eight counties benefiting from the Nurse- Family Partnership program in California. Leaders attending today’s event would like to see the program expand to serve eligible women in all 58 counties.
“The Nurse-Family Partnership offers incredible support and resources that help thousands of children and families lead healthier lives and get the care they need,” says Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Senior Program Officer Jeane Ann Grisso, M.D., M.Sc., FACP. “We’re pleased to support efforts to introduce this highly effective model in more communities across the country.”
Additional speakers included Diana Bonta, RN, PHN, director of Public Relations, Kaiser Permanente; Terri Thorfinnson, JD, chief of the Office of Women’s Health, CA DHS; and Peggy Hill, director of Program Development and Management, Nurse-Family Partnership National Service Office. For more information about the Nurse- Family Partnership program visit http:// www.nursefamilypartnership.orgor contact Trinh Nguyen at 510-273- 4602.
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(c) 2006 U.S. Newswire 202-347-2770
(c) 2006 U.S. Newswire. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.