Home Visiting
In 2020, Children’s Futures’ Nurse-Family Partnership program (NFP) served the perinatal needs of 147 clients, admitting 57 women. This nationally-recognized program has helped expectant families and new parents, beginning before the birth of their first child, by paring them with nurses who provide home-based services to expectant families and new parents.
With regard to health outcome objectives, nearly all eligible NFP participants had health insurance. All clients were referred to a medical home. More than 71% of NFP moms entered prenatal care in the first trimester, 95% were screened for alcohol, tobacco, other drugs, depression and domestic violence. Almost 92% of children had health insurance and a medical home and more than 95% of the children were up-to-date with their immunizations, well-child health visits, and developmental assessments at the age of two.
Home Visiting Nurses
Rachel Hansen, Nurse Supervisor
Kristina Carnevale, HV Nurse
Cynthia Hampton, HV Nurse
Mary Ann Vazquez, HV Nurse
For more information about Children’s Futures Nurse-Family Partnership please contact: Rachel Hansen- 609.695.1977 or [email protected]
Center-based Activities
In 2022, Children’s Futures received 1,522 referrals from prenatal clinics, Obstetrician offices, walk-ins, and outreach efforts. Of the 1,522 referrals, 1,099 clients were served in home visiting, case management, fatherhood, and Doula programs as well as provided pregnancy testing, diapers, clothing and formula distribution, and group session. CF continues to support two (2) Trenton neighborhood-based centers one (1) and Children’s Futures and the other with community partner Mercer Street Friends to provide center-based services. By strengthening parenting skills we can improve perinatal outcomes, effective parenting, overall family health and wellness, and strengthen child cognitive development and literacy.
Pregnancy Testing
Free pregnancy testing is available for all women in Mercer County Monday through Friday. Pregnancy test hours: Mondays & Fridays by appointment only and Tuesday-Thursday no appointment needed between 10:30 am – 4:00 pm. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call (609) 695-1977.
Parent Education
Children’s Futures hosts a series of parenting classes to help both parent and child. The classes are designed to help parents learn concepts like the ages and stages of development, alternative discipline methods, managing emotions, and effective parenting routines. The training will give parents a better understanding of their child’s development, and help them become the best parents they can be.
Children’s Futures is committed to getting every child off to a healthy start in life so that they enter school happy and ready to learn. Parenthood can be difficult at times and present new challenges for parents. Our parenting classes at Children’s Futures are a great way to share experiences with other mothers and fathers about parenthood. For more information about parenting education classes, please call 609-695-1977.
Case Management
The Case Manager provides the following services:
- recruitment and enrollment in case management services
- Parenting Education using the Nurturing Family Bavolek Curriculum
- Assist women, children and families with insurance, medical home, WIC and nutrition education, breastfeeding, safe sleep behaviors, smoking cessation, child immunizations, child developmental assessments, lead evaluations
- pregnancy testing and enrollment into prenatal care and women who test negative, provide preconception education
- assist postpartum women with check-ups and reproductive life plan
- assist interconception women with obtaining yearly examinations and developing a reproductive life plan
- provide screening for pregnant/ postpartum women for depression, alcohol, tobacco and other drugs (ATOD), Domestic Violence and refer if needed
- facilitate group presentations with representatives from Mental Health, Domestic Violence, Fatherhood, Toxic Stress or other group interests
- meet with clients on a weekly, monthly or an as needed schedule dependent upon family circumstances/stressors (unstable housing, depression, ATOD, DV, parenting deficits)
- discharge when goals are met, client refuses services or unable to contact client for one (1) month
For more information about case management services, please call (609) 695-1977.
Fatherhood Program
There are no manuals that come home with a baby. There are no perfect answers to questions that arise from the day-to-day experiences of parenting. But there are ways for fathers to develop the skills and tools needed to be a successful parent.
The relationship between a father and child is critical to the family’s health and a child’s identity. Children’s Futures (CF) Fatherhood Program helps fathers build and maintain healthy relationships with their children. Through:
- One-on-one mentoring fathers gain insight and perspectives about themselves and their interactions with their children. Experienced peer mentors are paired with new fathers to listen, coach, and share their expertise around parenting.
- The Father’s Forum is a safe space for fathers to come together in small group sessions to share experiences, identify solutions, develop accountability, and learn new tools and skills to help them be better parents and partners.
- D.A.P. (Dads as Parents) provides fathers with individual and group activities they can do with their children. The activities are designed to promote bonding and develop relationships through fathers spending quality time with their child(ren) doing an activity, sharing a meal, and/or coming together with other fathers and their children in group activities.
- Case Management Service provides fathers with assistance finding and accessing the resources they need to improve their quality of life.
Whether single or married all fathers are welcome to be a part of CF’s Fatherhood Program. Come, join in, learn and share in a safe, caring environment. For more information call (609) 695-1977.
Mental Health Services
Individual and Group Therapy will include:
- Individual Therapy sessions which focus on assisting consumers with managing anger due to internal and external stressors for 90 minutes for up to eight (8) participants
- Wellness group sessions which will focus on assisting consumers with learning and incorporating health and wellness skills that alleviate emotional deregulation, anxiety, depression and stress and provide stress management and relaxation techniques for 90 minutes for up to eight (8) participants
For more information or to schedule an appointment, call (609) 695-1977