All programmes
Concious and healthy parenting
On 7 July, the Central Project Management Agency launched a call for proposals for the project "Implementation of Model for Home Visits and Provision of Early Intervention Services"The deadline for applications is 7 September 2021 at 17:00.
This is the second call for proposals, which invites Lithuanian health care institutions and municipalities to use the opportunities to introduce a family visitation model for early intervention services, which is crucial for both: the psychological health of young families and for concious parenting in Lithuania.
The project was initiated on the basis of experience of the USA and European countries. Families from vulnerable social groups have for some time been provided with free parenting education services in their homes, with a particular focus on women who are preparing for motherhood, as well as on the health care of children up to the age of 2 In these countries, .
The intervention services are called intervention services because, instead of the participants going to a health facility, the staff of the facility provide periodic free personalised support in the participant's home (this not only helps to get to know the participant, but also assesses the individual needs of the participant according to her living environment).
What gives us confidence in the success of these projects?
The Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) programmes, widely known in the US, where nurses visit expectant and recently delivered mothers on lower than average incomes. The success of the programme has led to the emergence of this project in Lithuania. Similar successful programmes exist in Europe.
Country experience shows that the introduction of this model results in 60% reduction in neonatal mortality, 31% reduction in the likelihood of a second pregnancy within 2 years of the first birth, 38% reduction in the number of children hospitalised for trauma (0-2 years), and 31% reduction in the number of cases of violence against children (4-15 years). The model is also important for protecting the health of mothers-to-be: smoking during pregnancy is reduced by up to 24%, the diagnosis of pregnancy hypertension is reduced by 27% and the risk of premature birth before 37 weeks is reduced by 28%.
Nursing staff who participated in the European programmes also saw another important benefit of the programme: the trusting relationship between the expectant mother and the nurse reduces depression and anger attacks among mothers.
How will the model be developed?
To ensure the success of the project, a training programme has already been developed for nurses, which will enable them to provide early health care training for women who are expecting, have given birth and have children up to the age of 2. The training programme will be delivered by motivated, sociable and empathetic professionals whose personal qualities will help ensure the success of the project.
This call for proposals is part of the Health Programme funded by the European Economic Area Financial Mechanism.