Priority 3: Nurse Home Visiting and Women Infants and Children

Total Budget Request: $10.2 Million

Nurse Home Visiting

Oregon has four public health nurse home visiting programs: Nurse Family Partnership, Family Connects, Babies First and CaCoon, each tailored to a different population. Visits start during pregnancy or shortly after a child is born and, depending on the family’s needs, can last a few weeks or several years. In the case of CaCoon, the program that serves children with special health needs, visits can continue until the child is an adult. The state matches Medicaid funding for Nurse Family Partnership and Family Connects, this funding will provide $6.2 million per biennium to match Medicaid funding for CaCoon and Babies First.

Fact Sheet: Nurse home visits improve outcomes and save money

Women Infants and Children

The federal WIC program provides food assistance, nutrition counseling and breastfeeding support to families across Oregon. Because federal funding does not cover the costs of running the program, some families wait weeks or months for services. Many counties can’t afford to hire additional staff and turnover is high because wages are not competitive. This request will provide $4 million per biennium to help counties hire more staff and increase salaries–allowing counties to reduce wait times and serve more eligible families. 

Fact Sheet: Why WIC needs state funding

Learn More

Story: CaCoon connects family with vital resources

Story: Babies First helps Sandy mother navigate her own grief while raising a newborn

Video: Watch a Nurse Home Visit in Jefferson County:

Video: Watch a Nurse Home Visit in Washington County (English):

Video: Vea una visita de enfermera en casa en el condado de Washington (Spanish/Español):

Video: Watch how WIC helps Oregon families: