County accepts ISD grants to support Nurse‑Family Partnership; $45,000 budget amendment, $60,000 contract approved

Andrew, speaking for the Macomb County Health Department, told the Health and Human Services Committee on Dec. 3 that two related items — a $45,000 budget amendment and a $60,000 contract through the Macomb Intermediate School District’s Great Start program — will support the Nurse‑Family Partnership (NFP) visiting nurse program.

"This is a visiting nursing program that actually visits our eligible residents ... to help first‑time mothers with education," Andrew said, describing NFP as a federally evidence‑based program that follows a strict curriculum and requires out‑of‑state training for staff.

Why it matters: The Nurse‑Family Partnership is intended to improve pregnancy outcomes, child health and development, and family economic self‑sufficiency. County officials said the grant dollars will largely offset staff training costs, including week‑long training in Denver required for NFP certification, and will help purchase educational and outreach materials.

Details presented: - Budget items: The department asked to amend the fiscal 2024 budget to add $45,000 (the department said it normally budgets $15,000) and to accept a $60,000 contract to support staff training and program materials. - Training and certification: Staff training for the evidence‑based NFP program includes an out‑of‑state, week‑long training session; the grant funds will help cover these costs. - Program continuum: Andrew described how NFP serves first‑time mothers and is complemented by other county programs (maternal and child health programs and MIHIP) to support families through early childhood.

Action taken: The committee voted to recommend the budget amendment and contract to the full board; the motion passed unanimously.