NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release – December 7, 2023
Contact: Raegan Mach, 405-232-2500 ext. 404, raegan.mach@parentpromise.org
Parent Promise Launches the First Public-Private Partnership of Children First in Oklahoma
OKLAHOMA CITY – Parent Promise, a local family-focused nonprofit, recently launched the first public-private partnership with the Oklahoma State Department of Health to implement the evidence-based Children First program. Parent Promise’s program, named Children First, Oklahoma’s Nurse-Family Partnership at Parent Promise, is a free community-based parent education program that supports first-time, low-income, expecting mothers and their children throughout pregnancy (before 29 weeks gestation) and the first two years of the child’s life. Nurse home visitors meet weekly with families to perform wellness screenings, provide child development information, and offer one-on-one prenatal/postpartum support.
In working closely with Senator Paul Rosino (Senate District 45), Parent Promise collaborated with the Oklahoma State Legislature and the Nurse-Family Partnership national office to expand the presence of Children First from health department agencies into the local nonprofit sector in 2022. The organization officially began serving families earlier this month. It will be able to serve up to 75 mothers in Oklahoma City and/or Oklahoma County in the first year of implementation.
“I am very proud of the collaboration between Parent Promise and the Oklahoma State Legislature to expand this essential program into more local communities. I am passionate about serving Oklahoma’s families, and I commend Parent Promise for making our state a better place for parents to raise their children,” says Senator Paul Rosino.
Executive Director Chris Siemens remarks, “We are excited to expand our free, home-based services, including medical support to first-time pregnant moms. With support from the Oklahoma State Legislature, Oklahoma State Department of Health, and Nurse-Family Partnership National Service Office, our program is fully staffed for the first implementation phase with dedicated and qualified nurses. This program will serve a critical role in the weeks leading up to birth and years after.”
“This public-private partnership helps ensure new parents have the healthcare, resources, and confidence they need to start their parenting journey on the right foot–even before their child is born. We are thrilled to partner with OSDH to help ensure healthier, brighter futures for Oklahoma families,” comments Board President Melanie Wilson Rughani.
Parent Promise is currently enrolling new families for this program. To request more information about how to enroll, please complete this form. For additional information about this and other programs offered by Parent Promise, please visit parentpromise.org/programs.
Parent Promise is a non-profit that serves Oklahoma families through parent education and support. Parent Promise was founded by the Exchange Club of Oklahoma City in 1988 in alignment with their national project for the prevention of child abuse and is credentialed as the Oklahoma Chapter for Prevent Child Abuse America. Visit parentpromise.org to learn more.
