Family Support and Coaching Services

Pregnancy and parenting can be overwhelming, but having support helps! Our family support and coaching services give parents an expert partner in their corner to help with pregnancy, parenting, newborn care, finances, life goals, and more. When families partner with us, they’re paired with a nurse or parent educator who will work side-by-side with them to provide personalized education, guidance, support, and connections to other services and resources that will help them achieve their goals.

Family support and coaching services are offered through 2 different models: Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP) and Parents as Teachers (PAT). NFP pairs first-time moms with a registered nurse during their second or third trimester to help guide them through pregnancy and newborn care. PAT pairs families who are expecting a baby or have young children with parent educators who provide support, help families navigate services, and keep babies on track with their health and development.

These no-cost services are always voluntary, confidential, and built around families’ needs – we come to you! Contact MIECHVreferrals@la.gov for more information or to sign up.

Eligibility Requirements

Nurse-Family Partnership (NFP)
Serves families from pregnancy until the child’s second birthday.

• Available in the following parishes: Acadia, Allen, Assumption, Avoyelles, Beauregard, Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, Calcasieu, Cameron, Catahoula, Claiborne, Concordia, Evangeline, Franklin, Grant, Iberia, Jackson, Jefferson-Davis, Lafayette, Lafourche, LaSalle, Lincoln, Morehouse, Natchitoches, Ouachita, Rapides, Red River, Richland, Sabine, St. Charles,  St. James, St. John, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Terrebonne,  Vermillion, Vernon, Washington, Webster, and Winn.
  • Must be a first-time mother.*
  • Must enroll before 29 weeks of pregnancy. Early enrollment is encouraged, preferably at or before 16 weeks.
  • Must live in the parish where NFP services are received.
  • Must be eligible for one or more of the following at the time of sign-up: Medicaid, WIC, SNAP, TANF, or SSI.

*Women may be allowed to enter the program under special circumstances, such as a woman who has lost a child, surrendered her child to adoption, or lost custody of the child within the first 30 days after delivery.

Parents as Teachers (PAT)
Services and supports are provided to expectant or parenting families with children 36 months or younger. Families can receive services for up to three years.

• Available in the following parishes: Avoyelles, Ascension, Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, Claiborne, Caldwell, East Baton Rouge, East Carroll, East Feliciana, Franklin, Grant, Iberville, Jefferson, Lincoln, Livingston, Madison, Morehouse, Natchitoches, Orleans, Plaquemines, Pointe Coupee, Ouachita, Rapides, Red River, Richland, St. Bernard, St. Helena, Tangipahoa, Tensas, Union, Webster, Winn, West Baton Rouge, West Carroll and West Feliciana.
  • For pregnant women OR parenting families with children less than 36 months of age.
  • Priority is given to Nurse-Family Partnership graduates and families with children 12 months or younger, with preference provided for families with children 4 months or younger.
  • Must live in the parish where PAT services are received.
  • Must be eligible for one or more of the following at the time of sign-up: Medicaid, WIC, SNAP, TANF, or SSI.