Professor Heckman’s latest research, An Analysis of the Memphis Nurse-Family Partnership Program (NFP), puts a widely-known voluntary home visiting program through its most rigorous analysis to date and finds important short- and long-term impacts for mothers and their children.
This study evaluates a randomized controlled trial of the NFP program conducted in Memphis, Tennessee in 1990. NFP aims to improve the long-term success of at-risk children by promoting healthy maternal behaviors and fostering strong parenting skills. It offers voluntary prenatal, parenting and early childhood supports to low-income, first-time mothers. The program consists of home visits starting during pregnancy and lasting until two years after birth. NFP home visitors are registered professional nurses with at least a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. They have formal training and follow a detailed curriculum of activities specific to the different stages of pregnancy and child development.
Researchers found that the home visiting program improved birth weights for infant boys, who tend to be more vulnerable during pregnancy. Low birth weights are associated with developmental problems early in life that can persist if left untreated. By the time children reached age two, researchers found the home visiting program had created healthier home environments, more positive parenting attitudes and better maternal mental health. At age six—four years after the program ended—the home visiting program led to improved cognitive skills for both boys and girls, and better socio-emotional skills for girls. Researchers found the positive effects at age six were largely attributable to the program’s impact on maternal health and early-life investments.
Read more about the study from the heckmanequation.org here.