Some 21% of all U.S. children live in households with incomes below the 2015 federal poverty threshold of $24,036 for a family of four. Such poverty—coupled with toxic stress caused by hunger, homelessness, neglect, or exposure to violence—can negatively affect a child’s social, emotional, and cognitive development.

Supporting parents and improving families’ access to services through home visitation programs are ways to ensure better life outcomes for vulnerable children who may be at risk of not reaching their full potential. Nurse Family Partnership is a program that provides counseling to low-income, first-time mothers.

Operating in 42 states, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and six tribal communities, Nurse-Family Partnership matches a registered nurse with a low income woman, pregnant with her first child. Two thirds of these expectant moms are under age 24. Starting from early pregnancy through the child’s second birthday, NFP provides in-home counseling about healthy practices, childcare, planning for future children, and employment.

Read our full profile of Nurse Family Partnership at the Center for High Impact Philanthropy. 

For more high impact opportunities like this, see our full High Impact Giving Guide.