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Hospitalization of a baby in a neonatal intensive care unit can be one of the most frightening, confusing and overwhelming experiences for a parent. Yet, this is the reality for thousands of families each year in Oregon and Southwest Washington.
In May of 2004, the March of Dimes and Doernbecher Children’s Hospital launched the March of Dimes NICU Family Support Project, an innovative program that provides information and comfort to families with babies in the Doernbecher Neonatal Care Center (DNCC). The program also helps families during the transition home, and in the event of a newborn’s death. The March of Dimes NICU Family Support Project is the first program of it’s kind on the West Coast. |
| The program has several components that make it unique. A NICU Family Support Specialist, employed by the March of Dimes, works with DNCC families and providers and helps with a variety of needs from getting parents explanations of complex procedures, to sending pictures of the baby to family members out of the area.
March of Dimes parent Care Kits are given to DNCC families that include a keepsake journal, information on common NICU equipment and procedures, and information on parenting in the NICU setting.
A volunteer Parent-Professional Advisory Committee guides the program’s development and implementation, and a team of direct service volunteers offers one-on-one support to new families in the NICU.
The NICU Family Support Project is funded through the March of Dimes with grants from Pediatrix Medical Group, Spirit Mountain Community Fund, The Hoover Family Foundation, Tournament Golf Foundation, Inc. and individual donations. |
