She helps the students work to finish high school, discover their career goals, find jobs and prepare to mother their babies.
Wilkins and three other nurses in the new-to-Utah prenatal program called Nurse-Family Partnership will work with the women from the middle of their pregnancies until their children turns 2.
The women are young and poor. To qualify, each must be in their first pregnancy and they must live at less than 185 percent of the federal poverty level, or make $25,900 or less for a family of two. So far, 32 pregnant women have signed up, ranging in age from 13 to 25.
Many come from "dysfunctional" families, so they don't have great parenting role models, Wilkins said.
"We want to teach them to be self-sufficient," Wilkins said Wednesday, when the program was officially launched by the Salt Lake Valley Health Department and Salt Lake County. She recalled one of her clients who described herself as unmotivated, but told Wilkins she follows through now because, "I've got a cheerleader."
The county, along with the state Division of Child and Family Services, has made a three-year commitment to the $400,000-a-year program. The health department hopes to enroll 100 women in the voluntary program this year.
Developed in the 1970s, the program is based in Denver and has spread to 25 states. National data show most mothers who participate are 20, unmarried and don't have a high school diploma. Most are on public assistance and live with their mothers.
The nurses will visit the women about 60 times during the 2- year relationship. The nurses teach the participants about the dangers of smoking and drinking during pregnancy, basics of newborn care, the importance of family planning, and help them set financial and educational goals.
When the babies are born, the nurses educate the mothers about toddler development and how to be better parents.
According to Nurse-Family Partnership, two of three studies comparing home visits to other prenatal care have found the program leads to better prenatal health, school readiness for the highest-risk children and maternal employment, as well as fewer childhood injuries and fewer subsequent pregnancies.
The mothers also take longer to get pregnant again. The children may also benefit from more intellectual and language skills, even years after the program ends. And one study found the program reduces criminal behavior.
"The NFP changes the trajectory of a family's life in small ways . . . that grow over time," said Kellie Teter, who works for the national group.
