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Craig — At 17, Amber and Andy Snow were unsure how they were going to raise their yet-to-be-born baby.

"We didn't know anything about anything," Andy said.

So when they heard about the Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association's Nurse-Family Partnership program, which offers free in-home parenting assistance to low-income first-time mothers, they accepted the help.

"We were so thankful to have the program," Amber said.

From the time the couple found out Amber was pregnant until their 2-year-old son Hunter's birthday in December, the Snows have been working one-on-one with nurse Jan Leonard.

"She really made us feel special," Amber said. "She didn't make us feel stupid. We weren't just clients. She loved us."

Program supervisor Ann Irvin said that's what the Nurse-Family Partnership strives to do - develop trusting relationships between nurses and families from pregnancy until their child turns 2.

"Babies don't come with a manual, so you need someone to talk to," Irvin said.

In Moffat County, Irvin and Leonard are those people. In Routt County, Wendy Bower visits the program's clients. The program also is available to Rio Blanco and Jackson county women who meet income eligibility requirements, which take only a woman's income into account.

Locally, the program has graduated 51 families. Many more begin the program but cannot complete it for a number of reasons.

Irvin said the program has shown benefits to mothers, such as making them more aware of community resources, more likely to use birth control and breast feed, more likely to get married and go on to higher education and less likely to abuse drugs and alcohol.

"It really has improved people's lives," Irvin said. "Moms and families need support when they're trying to raise children. It's a tough job and it's such an important job."

Irvin offered that support to Jenny and Jeremy Bays, who now have 2-year-old Avalon and 3-month-old Patrick.

"I was really freaked out when I had Avalon," Jenny said. "I didn't know anything about kids and wanted some help."

Irvin said that's a prime time to introduce the program into people's lives.

"You want to make life changes for your baby and give your baby the best life," Irvin said. "So you're willing to accept a stranger into your life."

Irvin said the program, which is funded by tobacco settlement funds and Medicaid, focuses on mothers' strengths and what fits into their lifestyle.

"They're successful because what we do is cheerlead for them," Irvin said. "It's not rocket science. It's common sense. It's just passing on what we know works."

Jenny said Irvin answered her questions and gave her useful suggestions without judgment.

"One of the best pieces of advice Ann gave me was, 'You don't have to go by the book. You know your kids and you know what's going to work best,'" Jenny said.

The bond she formed with Irvin is what made the program work for Jenny.

"I consider her a friend," Jenny said. "I feel like I could tell her anything. I'm going to miss being able to see her."

Jenny said it's hard to not have Irvin around anymore, as Irvin would attend Avalon's birthday parties and take her Christmas gifts.

The same is true for the Snows' relationship with Leonard.

"She listened, and you could tell she cared," Andy said. "It was an automatic bond between us. She's like part of the family."

Leonard said she struggles, too, after forming a bond with a family for two and a half years.

"It's a hard time for us, too," she said of graduating children like Hunter from the program. "I want to see what this guy grows up to be."

And when the Snows decide to have another child, Amber said she wants to make sure they're prepared.

"Because this time we weren't ready," Amber said. "But it worked out perfect anyway because of you guys."

For more information on the Nurse-Family Partnership or to get involved, call Ann Irvin at 871-7686.