During the 19 Days of Activism, the Child Advocacy Center has two goals. The first goal is that the 19 partner agencies will sponsor press releases to educate our community about child abuse, with a focus on the impact of opioids and substance abuse on children.  

Here's how Nurses for Newborns of Tennessee helps:

Nurses for Newborns of Tennessee, an infant mortality, child abuse and neglect prevention agency, is proud to be participating in the international 19 Days of Activism for Prevention of Violence Against Children and Youth November 1–19.

Nurses for Newborns (NFN) is dedicated to reducing infant mortality, child abuse and neglect by sending registered nurses into the home to provide physical assessment, education, and positive parenting skills to at-risk families.

This year, the 19 Days of Activism Campaign’s focus is on the impact of the opioid crisis on children, including children with substance abuse issues and drug endangered children who are impacted by their parent’s alcohol and drug abuse.

NFN provides services to infants who have been born drug exposed or diagnosed with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS), a condition in which an infant experiences withdrawal from substances they were exposed to in the womb.

Prenatal drug use is associated with an increased risk of C-section delivery, preterm birth, low birth weight, feeding problems, and respiratory distress. And prenatal opioid use is associated with an increased risk of Spina bifida, gastroschisis, and cardiac defects.

Prenatal drug exposure is a growing concern in our community; according to the Tennessee Department of Health, 1,090 babies in Tennessee were born with NAS in 2017; a 10% increase since 2016.

NFN’s support is specific to those most vulnerable in the community, such as medically fragile babies (including but not limited to babies born premature, drug exposed or experiencing other medical concerns), mothers or caregivers with medical, mental health or substance abuse concerns, and teenage parents. Our team of registered nurses is specially trained to identify the markers of drug exposure in infants and provide support, education, and training to caregivers on how to mitigate the effects of drug exposure in utero, as well as make referrals to early intervention services and medical practitioners when needed to ensure the best possible outcome for these babies.

We are proud to partner with other community agencies to support parents in building safe, healthy, and nurturing homes. For more information on how you can partner with Nurses for Newborns to save babies and strengthen families, please visit www.nursesfornewborns.org.