News
S.C. BlueCross Foundation Presents More Than $1.3 Million to Support First-Time Mothers in Horry County - 3/16/2009
Columbia, S.C. – The BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation today presented a $1,379,651 grant to implement in Horry County a Nurse-Family Partnership program supporting low-income first-time mothers and their infants.
The celebratory check presentation took place in front of more than 100 guests at the Convention Center in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
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 6 in Horry Countyand the Horry County First Steps program, 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. It will target 100 families, following them from the point of pregnancy confirmation through the child’s second year.
Several dignitaries spoke at the event.
“By financially reinforcing the efforts of the Nurse-Family Partnership, we will be able to expand our services to more first-time parents needing a helping hand,” said State Representative Thad Viers of Horry County. “We’re extremely thankful that the BlueCross Foundation was able to support this important mission in our county.”
“It’s becoming more and more necessary for the public and private sector to create partnerships that result in the improved health and well-being of all South Carolinians, no matter if they live in a rural area or lack the proper financial and insurance resources,” said State Representative Tracy Edge of Horry County. ”The Nurse-Family Partnership is an exemplary effort made possible in part through the efforts of good corporate citizens such as the BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation.”
“It’s always a blessing when great improvements can be made through the efficient investment of public and private monies,” said State Representative Liston Barfield of Horry County. “The Nurse-Family Partnership is an excellent example of combining resources from many different sources to improve the health of residents in Horry County and the surrounding area. Through its generous financial support, the BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation plays a major role in making quality health care and support available to those who may otherwise not receive the care they need.”
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.
Headquartered in Columbia, the BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation is a philanthropic affiliate of BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina. It was created 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. The BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina Foundation and BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina are independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.