All babies and families deserve the best possible start
The best laid plans don’t always turn out as we hoped, and many babies will spend their earliest days in the NICU due to a preterm birth, birth defects, surgical or genetic conditions, or other diagnosis. For them, March of Dimes’ NICU Initiatives offer multiple ways to access the support and education they need to help improve the patient experience.
Since 2001, our NICU Family Support® program has partnered with hospitals across the country to educate NICU staff and support families through evidence-based programs and a variety of online and in-person resources while babies are in the NICU and during their transition home.
Providing education and information to families is one of the most meaningful ways to engage them in creating a positive experience while they're in the NICU. NICU Family Support® provides multiple ways for families to receive critical information.
Print resources include “The NICU Journey” and “In the NICU for a Shorter Stay” booklets and an evaluated parent education curriculum of 7 topics. Resources are reviewed annually for medical accuracy and health literacy standards.
NICU Family Support is committed to increasing the knowledge of NICU staff by providing on-going educational opportunities. Web-based, on-demand presentations from the March of Dimes Training Institute are provided, which include free continue nursing education (CNE). Additionally, NICU Grand Rounds and Leading Practice Workshops are provided on current NICU trends (CNE not available). Through these offerings, NICU staff receive tools to work effectively with families and each other.
Additional support resources
Our intent is that the powerful impact of this program will last far into the future, and families will know that they're supported when they needed it most.
Complimentary resources for all families
These resources support and educate families navigating their baby’s NICU journey.
