The Force for Good Award recognizes policymakers for making a difference for families in poverty
DENVER, CO (September 13, 2018) — Nurse-Family Partnership ® (NFP) – a national program serving first-time moms and their children living in poverty – has awarded New York State Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages (AD-22) and Senator Elaine Phillips (SD-7) the Force for Good Public Policy Awards.
Phillips, a Republican from Flower Hill, and Solages, a Democrat from Elmont, worked together in the legislature to secure funding for NFP, increasing the state appropriation for the program from $3 million last year to $3.8 million in the 2018-2019 budget.
Their leadership will result in expansion of Nurse-Family Partnership’s evidence-based nurse home visiting services to an additional 175 first-time moms.
“The efforts of Senator Phillips and Assemblywoman Solages will change the lives of vulnerable families across New York State and create the foundations for successful families for generations to come,” said Kelly Headrick, national director of advocacy and state government relations at Nurse-Family Partnership. “Their leadership and foresight truly make them a powerful force for good in their communities.”
“Passing the annual budget can be an arduous task, but it is always worth it to be able to secure the vital funding for organizations that work towards positive generational change for New York families,” declared Assemblywoman Solages. “I am sincerely grateful to Nurse Family Partnership for this award and I will continue to promote programs that address the ethnic disparities in maternal and infant health.»
«The Nurse-Family Partnership plays an integral role in many communities here on Long Island and provides vital services to low-income teens and first-time pregnant women,” said Senator Phillips. “The education and knowledge provided by the nurses is immeasurable and has helped thousands of women give their children the best possible start to life. I am proud to support NFP’s many efforts and am truly humbled to receive this award from such a wonderful organization.»
Nurse-Family Partnership was established in New York in 2003, and has served more than 17,500 families. The NFP program operates in 12 counties in the state and the program in New York City is the largest urban initiative in the nation.
“We are so proud to operate the NFP program in Nassau County, which has served 225 families since we began three years ago,” said Carol Odnoha, director of Nurse Family Partnership at Visiting Nurse Service of New York. “This vital initiative thrives because of the support of Nassau County elected officials, and the strong leadership demonstrated by Senator Phillips and Assemblywoman Solages.”
The Nurse-Family Partnership Force for Good Public Policy Award recognizes elected officials for making a difference for more families in poverty. Dr. David Olds, founder of Nurse-Family Partnership, describes the impact of Nurse-Family Partnership as a force for good that changes the future for two generations.
Over 40 years of evidence shows that Nurse-Family Partnership improves birth outcomes, child development and school readiness, reduces child abuse and neglect and juvenile crime, among other outcomes.
According to the RAND Corporation, every $1 invested in Nurse-Family Partnership can yield up to $5.70 in return for the highest-risk families served.