The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #61903

Sandra Kaylor, RN, Help Us Grow Program Division of Child and Adolescent Health, Metro Nashville Public Health Department, 311 23rd Ave, Nashville, TN 37203, 615-340-5614, sandra.kaylor@nashville.gov and Kimberlee Wyche-Etheridge, MD, MPH, Division of Child and Adolescent Health, Metro Nashville Public Health Department, 311 23rd Ave North, Nashville, TN 37203.

The Help Us Grow (HUG) Program is an intensive case management home visiting program for infants and children who are at risk for abuse and neglect. Services are provided by registered nurses and include: 1). Assisting families with establishing and using a preventive care medical home, 2). Follow-up on missed medical appointments, 3). Assessing the health, growth, and development of enrolled infants and children, 4). Assisting clients in accessing community resources and early intervention services, and 5). Teaching parenting skills, baby care, nutrition and feeding, and self-reliance skills. In response to the existence of multiple home visiting programs in Nashville, who often shy away from “difficult” families, the HUG Program chose, for the past two years, to target services to the very underserved populations of drug-exposed/effected infants and substance abusing, mentally challenged caregivers. Outcomes for these populations are traditionally poor and the risk for abuse, neglect and poor health outcomes is high. During the period 07/01/00 – 06/30/02, 411 clients were voluntarily enrolled. Approximately 60% of these clients had at least one of the targeted risk factors. Once in the program clients may be followed until the age of six. The HUG Program’s approach to provision of services will be presented as well as information on client outcomes at completion of the program including immunization rates, well-child exam rates, utilization of early intervention services, and reports made for abuse/neglect. The challenges of working with the target population and strategies for improvement of data collection will also be discussed.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of this session, the attendee will have a better understanding of:
• Alternative Home Visiting strategies for highly at risk populations
• Special considerations when working with substance abusing and or mentally challenged clients

Keywords: Home Visiting, Substance Abuse

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.