In February 2016, former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, Nurse-Family Partnership, and Social Finance launched the nation’s first Pay for Success initiative aimed at improving health outcomes for mothers and children living in poverty. Taquana, who enrolled with Nurse-Family Partnership in 2019, was one of those mothers.
Taquana was matched with nurse Kenyetta, who helped her stay informed about her pregnancy. When Taquana had trouble gaining weight, Kenyetta encouraged her to stick to a meal plan. When Covid-19 made in-person visits unsafe, Kenyetta checked in through text messages and phone calls.
“After every doctor appointment, I would update her on everything by phone and she kept records of all the information,” Taquana said of her nurse. “Even through Covid, she didn’t miss a beat.”
Concerned about the baby’s slow growth rate, doctors decided to induce Taquana at 37 weeks. She gave birth to Zy-Aire, who was born at four pounds, 15 ounces. Zy-Aire spent the first two days in the neonatal intensive care unit, while Taquana worked hard to breastfeed him—something she continued doing for 18 months. Nurse Kenyetta helped to provide resources and valuable information to support Taquana to improve her baby’s health and development.
Reflecting on her experience in the program, Taquana remembers how important nurse Kenyetta was to her pregnancy and the first two years of her son’s life.
My nurse was there for me every step of the way. I could text her when I was feeling down, and she was always there.
Taquana
South Carolina Nurse-Family Partnership participant
![Taquana holding her toddler son, smiling in black and white.](https://socialfinance.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/2022_ZyAire_Taquana_Kenyetta_SC_17-e1669065532822.jpg")
