S.C. BlueCross Foundation Grants $1.4 Million To Support First Time Mothers In Low Country

April 17, 2009

Columbia – The BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation today presented a grant of $1,455,238 to implement the Nurse-Family Partnership program in Charleston, Dorchester and Berkeley counties to support first time mothers and their infants.

The BlueCross Foundation is proud to partner with The Duke Endowment, South Carolina First Steps, the Children's Trust of South Carolina and the Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) to expand the nationally known Nurse-Family Partnership program in South Carolina.

The Nurse-Family Partnership, which will be implemented by S.C. DHEC Region 7 and the First Steps programs in each of the three counties, will work to improve the health, well-being and self-sufficiency of low-income, first-time parents and their children through an evidence-based, nurse home visitation program. Independent analyses of this program have shown that for every dollar invested, a community can see a return of more than five dollars.

The celebratory check presentation event took place at the Charleston Area Convention Center, North Charleston. It included a program of speakers, including the following comments from local dignitaries:

"The health and well-being of South Carolinians have a direct effect on their ability to work, go to school and live productive lives," said State Senator Paul G. Campbell, Jr. of Berkeley County. "By improving the overall well-being of first-time parents and their children in Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester Counties the Nurse-Family Partnership benefits those in lower economic levels in all aspects of their day-to-day living."

"It is necessary, now more than ever, for the public and private sector to work together to improve the health and well-being of all South Carolinians," said State Representative Tim Scott of Berkeley and Charleston Counties. "The Nurse Family Partnership is an exemplary model of such a collaboration of sources to improve the health and well-being of first-time parents and their children in Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester counties. Through its generous financial support, the BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation is playing a major role in making this invaluable service available to low-income parents throughout the Low Country."

"It's always a blessing when great improvements can be made through the efficient investment of public and private monies," said State Representative Chip Limehouse of Berkeley and Charleston Counties. "The Nurse-Family Partnership is an excellent example of combining resources from many different sources to improve the health of residents in Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester Counties. The BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation's grant will help make quality healthcare available to low-income, first-time parents and their children who may otherwise not receive the care they need."

"Studies have shown that when the Nurse-Family Partnership program was implemented in other locations, it resulted in better health and well being for the mothers and children as well as a net return to society in general," said Foundation Executive Director Harvey Galloway.

The Nurse-Family Partnership (www.nursefamilypartnership.org) is a nonprofit headquartered in Denver, Colo., that provides service to communities in implementing and sustaining this program.

About BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina
Headquartered in Columbia, S.C., the BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation is a licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Its mission is to promote the health of South Carolinians and to expand access to health care for the economically disadvantaged by supporting integrated research, education and community service.