Dear Friends and Neighbors,
Westchester County is adding financial support for an important program that connects nurses with at-risk, first-time mothers.
I was able to secure $35,000 this year, new County money, to help fund the program this year. It comes on top of funding from the City of Yonkers.
The program, the Nurse-Family Partnership, is run through Montefiore Health System. It provides for nurses to establish trusting, therapeutic one-on-one relationships with low-income, first-time mothers who agree to visits throughout pregnancy and the child’s second year of life. The goal is to improve prenatal outcomes, aid child health and development, and support the self-sufficiency of families.
I am so happy that the County is stepping up to support this truly life-saving program. Proper prenatal care and social and emotional support are critical to the health of moms and to the development of their children. Unfortunately, access to that care can be a challenge for many mothers. The support we give these women and children today pays dividends for a lifetime. I want to thank Montefiore and its nurses for their commitment to this fabulous program, and Mayor Spano and Majority Leader Corazon Pineda-Isaac for the City of Yonkers' support.
Westchester County Executive George Latimer said, “We are proud to partner with Legislator Ruth Walter and Montefiore Health System on this critical program that will help first-time mothers during a time of need. This type of development can help enhance and nurture a child in its earliest stages of life, so both the mother and the child can thrive and flourish together. It is my hope that through this program, we will help to improve the over health and home life of young families in Westchester County.”
Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano said, “Yonkers continues to be the gold standard for communities across the country -- serving as a model for innovative ideas. The Nurse-Family Partnership has helped over 100 young mothers in Yonkers, and while we have seen tremendous success, I am certain we will see so much more with the additional investment from Westchester County. Thank you to Legislator Ruth Walter for investing resources into this program to help more young mothers get the assistance they need.”
Yonkers City Council Majority Leader Corazon Pineda-Isaac said, “I am happy to have allocated $180,000 in the City’s FY2022 budget to help fund Montefiore’s Nurse-Family Partnership, which is a collaborative effort with Westchester County Legislator Ruth Walter. This funding demonstrates the City and County’s commitment to ensure that low-income, first-time mothers and their children have improved prenatal outcomes, improved child health and development, and improved self-sufficiency for the family. The Montefiore Nurse-Family Partnership allows for bi-weekly visits for first-time mothers, from pregnancy through the second year of their child’s life, which fosters a one-on-one relationship that promotes life-long health habits for the entire family. This program is especially important in Yonkers, so that young mothers, many of whom are women of color, can give their families the best possible head start in living a healthy lifestyle.”
Marcos Crespo, Senior Vice President, Community Affairs, Montefiore Health System said, “Montefiore is proud to have expanded our Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) program into the City of Yonkers. Since 2016, this maternal and infant support program has served over 100 families in the city. We are thankful to the elected officials whose support has allowed us to continue providing for families through this important program.”
Sincerely,
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