Nurturing Families Network

( A Healthy Families Program )

A voluntary program offered to first-time Bridgeport families to enhance parent/child interaction and to promote positive parenting practices.

Program Description

The Nurturing Families Network has three primary components: Nurturing Connections, Nurturing Home Visiting and Nurturing Parenting Group. All components of the NFN Program provide parent education, help in managing problems and referrals to appropriate community resources. The nature and intensity of the services each component provides vary depending on the needs of the family.

Nurturing Connections: seeks to provide all new families with critical information about health and child care, either before baby is born or while the mother and baby are still in the hospital. The Nurturing Connections Staff person conducts universal screening of first-time parents, either prenataly or at time of birth, at both Bridgeport Hospital and St. Vincent’s Medical Center. Interested families may elect to participate in the “Connections” phone support program and receive regular telephone calls from a trained volunteer and access to parent groups provided by the program and in the community.

Nurturing Home Visiting: is a curriculum-based parenting program offered to first-time Bridgeport families who are facing multiple challenges and require more intensive services. The program supports new families by providing timely and appropriate parenting education and links to needed community services. The home visiting program is “family centered” and works to engage the family as “partner”. Participants are offered weekly home visits focusing on facilitating parent child interaction, anticipatory guidance, parenting responsibilities, maternal and child health issues relationships, living conditions etc. Families may remain in the Home Visiting Program for up to five years.

Nurturing Parenting Group: are curriculum-based, experiential classes that provide a positive group experience for families. Nurturing Parenting Groups offer community residents opportunities to participate in groups free of charge. Groups are conducted in both English and Spanish and are offered for pre-natal families, teen parents, and parents of infants and toddlers. Groups are offered at different locations and times throughout the year. Pre-registration is required.

Program Eligibility

Nurturing Home Visiting and Nurturing Connections are for first time parents residing in Bridgeport. Families may enroll at any time prenataly and up to the time the baby is three months of age. Nurturing Groups are offered to all interested parents in the Greater Bridgeport area, with preference given to first time parents. Families with current or previous involvement with the Department of Children and Families (DCF) are not eligible for the Nurturing Families Program.

Accessing Services:

To make a referral or for additional information call CGC during business hours

Client Fee

There is NO fee to families participating in the NFN Program