An initiative to educate first-time, low-income mothers in Haywood, Jackson, Macon and Swain counties on how to raise healthy, school-ready children with a focus on the critical first two years of the child’s life is being launched by the Southwestern Child Development Commission.

The Nurse Family Partnership will employ four nurses with B.S. degrees, one Masters level nursing supervisor and administrative support staff.  Each nurse will provide home visits to approximately 25 mothers throughout pregnancy and through their child’s second birthday.  

The new initiative is being funded by a $150,000 grant from the Community Foundation from WNC. The Brown Family Fund, the Wasson-Stowe Charitable Fund and the MAC Mountain Fund partnered with CFWNC to fund this grant.  Significant funding is also being provided by the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust, The Evergreen Foundation and the NC Department of Health and Human Services.