Nurse-Family Partnership® in Canada
The Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) Program is currently being implemented or evaluated in many different countries, including in Canada. More information about the different phases of program testing and expansion of NFP can be found on the NFP International website.
Given the robust evidence in support of the effectiveness of the NFP program in positively improving a range of maternal and child health outcomes in the United States, efforts began more than two decades ago to bring NFP to Canada as a public health strategy to promote healthy behaviours in pregnancy, prevent child maltreatment, improve children’s health and development, and to improve the lives of mothers and their children living in disadvantaged circumstances.
Because baseline health and social services differ in the United States compared to other countries, the Prevention Research Center for Family and Child Health at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus requires that countries with a long-term goal of implementing NFP agree to follow a 4-step protocol for international evaluation of the intervention.
Model for Adapting and Testing the Nurse-Family Partnership in International Contexts
Phase One Read More on Phase One
Adaptation. Examine the adaptations needed to deliver the NFP program in local contexts while ensuring fidelity to the NFP model.
Phase Two Read More on Phase Two
Feasibility and acceptability through pilot testing and evaluation. Conduct a pilot test of the adapted NFP program to inform what additional adaptations may be needed to ensure the feasibility and acceptability of the adapted NFP program.
Phase Three Read More on Phase Three
Randomized controlled trial (RCT). Consider expansion of the testing and evaluation work by conducting a RCT.
Phase Four
Continued refinement and expansion. Once the evaluation of the RCT has been completed and the outcomes found to be of public health significance, the implementing agency may decide to further refine and expand the adapted NFP in their society.