For more than 10 years, FIRST 5 and the Santa Clara Valley Medical Center (SCVMC) have partnered to provide family-centered and technologically advanced care for premature and other babies admitted into the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). FIRST 5 supports these infants and their families by investing in:
Giraffe Beds
FIRST 5 supported the purchase of giraffe beds, providing premature infants with controlled, stress-reduced environments, similar to the mother’s womb.
Total Body Cooling Program
FIRST 5 supported the implementation of the Total Body cooling program, a life-saving technology that benefits infants who have been deprived of oxygen at birth.
Family-Centered Care Program
FIRST 5 supports the implementation of the NICU Family-Centered Care Program, giving families personalized support from a Family Baby Advocate and Family Support Specialist. These specialists attend health care appointments with families, provide communication about treatments and procedures, and facilitate support groups and reflection activities. The program also supports emergency assistance for low-income families, including meal and transportation vouchers and bereavement support.
Infants Exposed to Substances
FIRST 5 invests in a program that supports babies exposed to substances, with a special emphasis on those exposed to opiates, including prescription medications like methadone and illicit substances like heroin. This program refers mothers to community-based support programs that help them closely monitor and appropriately care for their babies.