The New York Post  

By FRANKIE EDOZIEN

February 4, 2008 — Pairing experienced nurses with first-time mothers in very low income communities has been so successful in reducing infant mortality that Mayor Bloomberg has decided to pump another $22 million to expand the program.

The Nurse Family Partnership (NFP) program places seasoned nurses with new mothers in Jamaica, Harlem, the South Bronx and parts of Brooklyn. The nurses begin working with pregnant moms, helping them until their child is 2. So far, 1,000 mothers have been served.

Officials are “going to help some of our youngest residents by expanding the successful Nurse Family Partnership,” Bloomberg said yesterday on his weekly 1010 WINS radio address.

“Now, we’re taking the Nurse Family Partnership to the next level by extending its reach to all five boroughs.”

The program’s nurses visit moms either weekly or every other week, and offer them guidance on breast feeding, parenting skills, preventive health practices, and even helping the moms make economic decisions.

The new money over the next three years will allow for up to 2,600 families to be served. Expectant women can simply call 311 to enroll.