MADERA, Calif. – A new program at Valley Children’s Hospital is focusing on the developmental and emotional needs of infants facing long stays in the neonatal intensive care unit – while also equipping families for a smoother transition home.
The NICU Warriors Program is designed for infants who are 42 weeks or older and expected to remain hospitalized due to ongoing or complex medical needs. The program addresses not only medical care but also the developmental, sensory and emotional needs of babies who face extended hospital stays.
“These babies have a different need than our preemies. They need that interaction and play, and parents need that extra support as they prepare to get these babies home,” said Amy Slater, NICU nurse at Valley Children’s.
The program brings together physicians, nurses, occupational therapists and other specialists to create individualized care plans tailored to each infant. In addition to medical treatment, babies receive developmentally appropriate stimulation that’s typically only experienced outside the hospital setting.
“The NICU Warriors program was designed to look more holistically at each baby and their family, and to really provide these babies that are going to be in the hospital for a longer amount of time an opportunity to advance not only physically, but also give them early learning opportunities that every other typical newborn would get,” said Erin Ponte, occupational therapist at Valley Children’s.
The approach extends beyond the infant to include parents and caregivers, who are guided through every stage of their child’s care. The program includes a structured, step-by-step education plan that teaches families daily care routines and essential skills, helping build confidence before heading home.
“We also wanted to look at family needs as well, and give them a space where they could bond more, where they could really feel like a parent,” Ponte said.
To support that goal, the program features individual rooms designed to feel more like a home environment. These curated spaces include developmentally appropriate toys and designated areas for personal items, allowing families to spend meaningful time with their babies in a more comfortable setting.
For parents like Dora Aguilar, the changes have been noticeable.
“Being here, I’ve gotten to do the bonding time that I didn’t have before. We’re able to get into a more structured schedule. This program is amazing, it’s so beneficial for the babies. We love it,” Aguilar said.
The NICU Warriors Program aims to ensure that families are prepared not just medically, but emotionally and practically, for the transition home. By combining clinical care with education and family support, the program helps build a foundation for long-term development.
“Allowing them to build their skill sets and their strength here allows them to do more than just survive the NICU environment – it allows them to really start to thrive while they’re here, and that will transition to home,” Ponte said.
Aguilar said that preparation makes all the difference.
“Getting this going and starting it here is just going to be a good transition to when we’re home,” she said.
To learn more about the NICU at Valley Children’s, click here.
