About the Nurse-Family Partnership Program

Nurse-Family Partnership is an evidence-based, family-centered, responsive home visiting program that improves the health, well-being and self-sufficiency of first-time parents and their children. Referrals are now being accepted in Eastern Zone, Northern Zone and Western Zone.

The program pairs a specially trained Public Health Nurse with a person who is pregnant with their first child and would benefit from additional support. The partnership starts as early as possible in pregnancy, no later than 28 weeks, and lasts until the child’s second birthday. During this time, the nurse visits regularly and provides guidance and education to prepare the family for success after the partnership ends.

The partnership enables the nurse to build a trusting relationship with the family, provide hands-on support, assist families in navigating available resources, support them in overcoming systemic barriers, and serve as a regular connection to the healthcare system and culturally responsive community equity resources. Through this program, Nova Scotia Health Public Health aims to accomplish three goals:

• Improve pregnancy outcomes and inequities in care
• Improve child health and development
• Improve parents’ lifelong outcomes

For more information about how NFP supports these goals, view the document below: 

When to Refer to NFP

The success of the Nurse-Family Partnership relies on our strong base of healthcare, community and educational partners to champion referrals to the program. You are often the earliest and most direct line of contact for people who would benefit from this advanced model of support.

Please refer patients or clients for Public Health assessment if they are pregnant with their first child or will be parenting for the first time, or are Indigenous and experiencing overlapping challenges, such as:

• Income insecurity 
• Less than grade 12 education
• Negative effects of substance use
• No primary care provider
• Food insecurity
• Housing insecurity
• Intellectual disability
• Mental health history
• Food insecurity

Other criteria may also be considered. It is important to note that these challenges may be compounded by other factors, including past, present and historical trauma, systemic discrimination, oppression, anti-Black and anti-Indigenous racism.   

Please refer as early as possible in pregnancy to ensure the patient or client can get the most from the program.

Even if a patient or client is not eligible for NFP, they may benefit from other Public Health Early Years services. Please refer all prenatal clients to Public Health for assessment. You can learn about other Early Years services and referral pathways at Early Years | Information and Wellness Portal (nshealth.ca).

How to Refer to NFP

This program is currently offered in Eastern, Northern and Western Zones, with expansion to Central Zone planned later in 2025.

Referrals can be sent to the following, or submitted through the EMR:  

Eastern Zone
Email: earlyyearsez@nshealth.ca 
Fax: 902-563-8401

Northern Zone
Email: nzeynurses@nshealth.ca
Fax: 902-667-3319  

Western Zone  
Email: earlyyearswz@nshealth.ca
Fax: 902-742-5064