The Mesa County Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) hosted its annual celebration for first-time mothers and their children on Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026, at the Clifton Community Center. The outdoor event featured free food, baby gear, and raffle prizes, marking a public acknowledgment of the crucial support NFP offers to underserved first-time moms.
NFP is a national program with a local branch that pairs first-time mothers with a registered nurse. These nurses provide essential education, guidance, and support from the client's pregnancy until their child reaches two years of age. This program is particularly relevant in the Grand Valley, where local mothers face higher risks compared to statewide averages. As previously reported, 50% of first-time mothers in Mesa County deal with substance use or misuse concerns, compared to 31% statewide. Additionally, 49% face potential homelessness, while the statewide average is 29%.
In 2024, the Mesa County NFP served 330 local mothers. Of these clients, 70% were younger than 25, and more than half earned less than $6,000 per year or relied on parental support. Nurse home visitor Melanie Duyvejonck noted that NFP steps in as a critical support system because the world is not always built to support mothers. Duyvejonck emphasized that the program helps prevent "downstream negatives" like mental health crises, children failing to thrive, difficulties with breastfeeding, and housing instability.
The national NFP program has a strong track record of positive outcomes. Its data indicates a 48% reduction in child abuse and neglect, a 56% reduction in emergency room visits for accidents and poisonings, and 67% fewer behavioral and intellectual problems in children by the age of six.
Among the attendees at the September 23, 2026, celebration was 24-year-old Isabel Castaneda, who credited her NFP nurse, Lori, for making a significant difference during her pregnancy. Castaneda, who joined the program in early 2026, three months into her pregnancy, said her nurse alleviated her anxiety about childbirth and motherhood. Lori provided crucial information and support, especially when Castaneda learned her baby had club feet. Castaneda said Lori's information helped her understand what to expect. Castaneda delivered a healthy baby boy she named ReyMundo, who will be three months old next week and has developed a "chatterbox personality."
Other families present at the celebration included Jade McCready, who was seen feeding 6-month-old Willow alongside nurse home visitor Shauna Martin. Oaklyn Schultz, 2½ years old, smiled while playing a fishing game. Shelby Reese held one-month-old Vivienne Lord while Vivienne’s footprint was taken. Nicholas Gonzales looked at 16-month-old Anastasia, and Kristal and Peter Main smiled with their 8-month-old daughter Delilah, who was held by their nurse home visitor, Keli Campbell. Mariah Thomason was also seen softly tossing her 14-month-old son, Messiah.
Beyond the festive atmosphere, the celebration also offered clients opportunities to connect with each other and NFP staff. Local community service providers, such as Hilltop, also participated, providing additional support and direct connections for clients. A major attraction was the baby clothes and gear swap, where donated infant apparel, diaper bags, strollers, and training toilets were available. These items were contributed by former clients and other community members.
Nurse home visitor Melanie Duyvejonck highlighted the importance of publicly recognizing the intensive work NFP conducts in hundreds of homes across the Grand Valley. She expressed hope that the visibility of the celebration would inform more future mothers that local NFP support is available to them. Duyvejonck encouraged community members to support the program by "sharing what we do."
