In its ongoing efforts to improve the health of babies, March of Dimes NICU Family Support was developed to provide information and comfort to families during the NICU hospitalization, the transition home, and in the event of a newborn’s death.  The project promotes a family-centered approach in Level III NICU’s that results in enhanced standards of care for infants and families.

Although the nature of each infant’s medical complications vary widely, one similarity remains among parents in the NICU: the emotional experience of having a critically ill baby.  Shock, denial, fear, anxiety, confusion, feelings of helplessness, and despair are all terms that have been used to describe what parents manifest during this time.  That’s why NICU Family Support was created.  The program will complement the existing services already provided at Norton Suburban.

NICU Family Support is a program “by families, for families”.  NICU graduate families, along with NICU staff, play a strong role in determining the services and direction of the program.  Some services that are provided include a part-time March of Dimes NICU Family Support Specialist who works in the NICU and helps implement the program, delivery of Parent Care Kits that include valuable information to every NICU family and professional development for NICU staff.

March of Dimes NICU Family Support at Norton Suburban Hospital is funded in part by the March of Dimes, the Norton Healthcare Foundation and Norton Suburban Hospital.