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Host Rafael Otto speaks with Jennifer Gould who currently works as a Nurse Home Visitor for the Nurse Family Partnership program with the Multnomah County Health Department. She has been in this role for more than 15 years and is trained as a Registered Nurse and is also an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant.

The Nurse Family Partnership is a community based, public health program with 45 years of research showing evidence of significant improvements in the health and lives of first-time moms and their children affected by social and economic inequality.

Summary:

The episode begins with Gould describing the history and meaning behind the Nurse Family Partnership program, what drew her to the work, and how she eventually became a home visitor.

She then explains the connection process between her and families; and how while there are goals incorporated into each visit, there is also an individualized approach when working with a new parent for the first time. In addition, she notes how this process had to be modified in the switch to telehealth during the pandemic.
Gould subsequently tells a story about a family that you worked with where a connection really kind of took hold and she saw something wonderful happen.

However, she also notes there are also times when working with a family where she finds herself as a liaison to other programs and services, from housing to early intervention.
To conclude, Gould describes the impact of nurse home visiting services more broadly, and what she wants others to know about her profession.

Host:

Rafael Otto, Director of Communications, Children’s Institute

~ Thanks to Children’s Institute, working to ensure that every child in Oregon has the best start in life

Jenna Deml
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