NURTURING NEWBORNS

Nurturing Newborns believes in the power of the parent-child relationship. For parents caring for an infant or toddler with a delay, serious illness or issues from prematurity, that parent-child relationship may suffer. Nurturing Newborns, through in-home respite care, supports, encourages and protects the parent-child relationship, even during a challenging time. 

In 2008, Nurturing Newborns began providing in-home, specialized respite care for families with an infant or toddler with special health care needs. Respite care provides temporary relief for a primary caregiver, enabling them to take a much-needed break from the demands of caregiving. Since 2008, more than 400 families have been supported and nurtured by respite care through Nurturing Newborns. Trained and supervised respite care providers work in the homes of families with an infant or toddler that has delays, disabilities or issues from prematurity. These respite care providers offer experienced care of special children so that parents and caregivers can take a break, seek mental health support or spend time with other family members.

Fast forward to 2024, and Nurturing Newborns has grown by leaps and bounds! Our model of respite care is unique, and from 2021 through 2023, referrals to our organization for respite care increased by 184%. In September of 2023, following 14 years as an LLC, Nurturing Newborns achieved nonprofit status. (EIN 92-2626959) This nonprofit designation has been instrumental in increasing awareness of the need for respite care for the 0-3 population and their families in our community, and increasing access of specialized care that these children require.

In early 2023, through an Early Intervention provider in Arapahoe County, Nurturing Newborns met a young mom from Cuba, living in a garage apartment in Aurora. Her newborn son was born prematurely and struggled with delays and health issues. The father of this child, an American citizen, chose to walk away from his son and this new mom. This courageous woman who is non-English speaking, inspired Nurturing Newborns to leap into action. A Spanish speaking respite care provider was introduced to this mom and funding for respite care was secured. A brand new family needing help received the gift of love and time; the gift of time for this mom to get her Certified Nursing Assistant designation, and the gift of love and care for her fragile son while she pursued this goal. As a result, this mom is compensated for the care of her own special needs son due to her CNA certificate, has secured a safer place to live and is developing positive relationships in the community.  

In the Denver metro area and in many parts of our country, in-home respite care for disabled children ages 0-3 is extremely rare. Nurturing Newborns has twice been named one of the "Most Innovative" respite programs in the nation by ARCH National Respite Network. (archnetwork.org) Nurturing Newborns works hard to create and maintain relationships with county and state organizations in Colorado to increase awareness of the need for in-home respite care for fragile infants and toddlers. These relationships are crucial to the success and future of these parents and their fragile children, and Nurturing Newborns provides the time and space to encourage and protect relationships.

EVERY REFERRAL to Nurturing Newborns has a story that is unique and complicated. Many of the families we serve through in-home respite care are low income, lack secure housing, are newcomers to our city or country, or struggle with mental health issues. None of these families pay out of pocket for specialized respite care, and the need for this kind of support continues to grow and grow. 

As of November 1st, 2024, Nurturing Newborns is providing intake or in-home respite care for 42 families. Each of these families is coping with the care of a baby that they didn't expect, a situation that wasn't part of the plan, and an unexpected stress that can be overwhelming. Many of these families also lack a positive support system. Center-based childcare or a high school babysitter is out of the question for these infants and toddlers who may be on oxygen, have a seizure disorder or struggle with health issues due to prematurity. How do these parents practice self-care, seek employment or spend time with other family members? 

Caring for a child with a disability significantly increases the risk of depression and anxiety for parents. When combined with poverty, housing insecurity, abuse or neglect, these special little ones and their families may struggle to live a normal, healthy life. These families are your neighbors, your co-workers and an integral part of our community. They are right in front of us, struggling to parent the baby they didn't expect or anticipate.

Please join Nurturing Newborns in support of the parent-child relationship through respite care for the smallest and most fragile member of our community. Everyone benefits.