title: NICU parent-to-parent partnerships: a comprehensive approach.
abstract: Parents of newborns in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) find themselves in a world of unknown medical terminology, advanced technology, and the realization that their dream of a healthy baby has been shattered. The unique partnership with trained parent-to-parent volunteers, who have had previous NICU experiences, enhances professional support and helps new NICU parents adjust to these unexpected challenges. This practice-based article describes the Helen DeVos Children's Hospital NICU Parent-to-Parent Partnership's (PPP) 40-year commitment to the parent-to-parent philosophy and its comprehensive approach to delivering trained volunteer PPP services to NICU families. A historical review of the literature, including this hospital's original research, current programming, recruiting, training, supervision, and survey feedback, is outlined.
authors.forename: Judy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Levick
authors.forename: Marie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Quinn
authors.forename: Carole
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vennema
mesh_terms: D022143:Family Nursing; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education; D011368:Professional-Family Relations; D012944:Social Support; D014838:Volunteers
keywords: NICU; parent support; parent-to-parent; patient- and family-centered care; peer mentors