FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 20, 2017
MEDIA CONTACT: Mona Davis, Marketing and Outreach Coordinator
(334) 273-7800
mdavis@golfound.org
MONTGOMERY, AL — Gift of Life Foundation (GOL) has been awarded a major grant from the Children’s Trust Fund of Alabama to help reduce child abuse and neglect in Montgomery County.
Gift of Life was awarded a $95,000 grant for its Nurse Family Partnership Program (NFP) — a free, voluntary program that pairs expectant, first-time moms with a registered nurse. GOL nurse home visitors help program participants assess their attitudes, knowledge, skills and current level of support, then develop interventions that empower participants to set goals, make behavioral changes, address challenges and increase self-sufficiency. This helps reduce the stress factors that contribute to child abuse and neglect.
“We are pleased to have received the grant from the Children’s Trust Fund of Alabama and to have an opportunity to partner with their efforts to protect Alabama’s children,” said Gift of Life Executive Director Cheryl Davis. “Research tells us that too many babies in Montgomery County are born too early, into poverty, or are impacted by violence. These are contributing factors to the high rate of infant mortality, child abuse and neglect that we are seeing in our community.”
In 2015, 7.3 per 1,000 Montgomery County children had indication for child abuse and neglect, according to data published in the 2016 Alabama Kids Count book. Davis said those numbers emphasize the critical need for funding for home visiting programs like those offered by Gift of Life, which support children and families in the environments where they live.
“The grant will fund two NFP nurse home visitors who will work with a client in her home for two and a half years,” said Davis. “They will provide the education, support and interventions needed to become an effective parent and create a nurturing environment for their child that is healthy and free of abuse.”
About Gift of Life Foundation - Since 1988, Gift of Life has worked to lower Montgomery County’s infant mortality rate through coordinated, evidence-based programs that give women and children at greater risk for infant mortality support, parenting education and encouragement at no cost through its Nurse-Family Partnership, Parents as Teachers, and Mobile Family Coaching, and Fathers in Action programs. For more information, visit www.golfound.org.
