Released: February 14, 2019
Santa Fe Community College announces the statewide First Born® Home Visiting program – based at the college – will strengthen and expand services to more families during the next two years. In a state with one of the lowest scores for child outcomes, the First Born® program has contributed to improving those outcomes.
The home visiting educational program supports first-born children ages prenatal to three. The program’s mission is to increase the health and wellness of women pregnant for the first time, families parenting for the first time and families adopting their first baby. Housed at SFCC’s Early Childhood Center of Excellence, the program provides statewide training, curriculum, technical assistance and licensing of First Born® Programs throughout New Mexico.
A $400,000 grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation will support program enhancements and expansion that will include curriculum support, ongoing training, workshops and technical assistance to existing and new start-up programs.
First Born® was created in 1998 in Grant County by Vicki Johnson, a licensed clinical counselor and Don Johnson, a practicing pediatrician, who saw a need in their community. Over the past twenty years, the program has been established and expanded throughout the state of New Mexico and is currently operating in eighteen counties, 10 pueblos and the Navajo Nation.
Johnson said, “For many years, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation has provided much needed support for First Born and New Mexico families. This new grant comes at a critical time in the preparation of the expansion of home visiting services throughout our state. SFCC is the perfect place for First Born to expand and grow to meet the needs of new families. We are delighted First Born found a secure home with the Early Childhood Center of Excellence at Santa Fe Community College and Director Jennifer Duran-Sallee.”
The college acquired the statewide program in spring 2018 through a partnership that was made possible through Santa Fe Community College Foundation and the New Mexico Early Childhood Funders group including support from the Thornburg Foundation, the Brindle Foundation, Los Alamos National Laboratory Foundation, the R.T. Keeler Fund and the Daniels Fund.
New Mexico Lt. Governor Howie Morales said, “First Born home-visiting services are a proven success, and they are vitally important to so many families and communities, especially rural and low-income families across New Mexico. I am thrilled that these services will be strengthened and expanded to reach even more families who will benefit. I congratulate everyone at Santa Fe Community College for their hard work to make this a reality, and we thank the Kellogg Foundation for its generous support. Coaching first-time parents to do better on all the complex issues of their children’s well-being really works. Our families and communities will be stronger as result of this grant.”
Dr. Jennifer Duran-Sallee, Director of the Early Childhood Center of Excellence, said, “Investing in home visiting helps children by supporting families to improve child well-being. Research has indicated that educating and supporting parents through First Born leads to improved outcomes for children.”
First Born® has been the subject of outcome-based evaluations by independent research teams, including the RAND Corporation, the Center for Education Policy and Research at University of New Mexico and New Mexico State University. These evaluations have determined that the FBP improves the health and well-being outcomes of newborn infants.
Data from a First Born® report last year indicated:
1. Families receiving First Born® services had no substantiated reports of child abuse and neglect. 98%.
2. Mothers screened for depression to ameliorate the adverse effects on infant development. 96%.
3. Homes were free from domestic violence. 97%.
4. Primary caregivers were not arrested while enrolled in First Born®. 99%.
5. Pregnant women receiving regular prenatal care. 97%.
6. Drug free pregnancies. 95%.
7. Births with birth weights of greater than 2500 grams. 97%.
8. Children current with immunizations. 97%.
9. Children’s development was assessed at regular and scheduled intervals. 100%.
10. Families reported First Born® services have increased their confidence as a parent. 100%.
For more information about the First Born® program, contact Dr. Jennifer Duran-Sallee, jennifer.sallee@sfcc.edu or 505-428-1321.
Santa Fe Community College celebrates its 40th Anniversary as the pathway to success for individuals and the community. SFCC provides affordable, high-quality programs that serve the academic, cultural, and economic needs of the community. The college welcomes over 10,000 students per year in credit, noncredit, workforce training, personal enrichment, and adult programs.
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Visit sfcc.edu or call 505-428-1000.
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