2  •  2021  •  Developmental Observer

Twenty years ago, the NIDCAP 
Federation International 

(NFI) was founded. In the years 
leading up to 2001, NIDCAP 
outreach had grown to 12 NIDCAP 
Training Centers (11 in the US and 
1 in Europe). It became clear that 
NIDCAP efforts would be best 
served by organizing and forming 
a community of NIDCAP Trainers 
and supporters. So, in October 
2001, the NFI was incorporated 
as a membership and educational 
certifying non-profit organization 
(501c3). Twenty years later, in 2021, 
our international community has 
grown to include over 3,000 clinicians, 
educators, researchers, families and 
students. The NFI continues to evolve, 
and to oversee, develop and support 
the NIDCAP model, caregiving and 
training approach.

The NFI’s efforts, overseen by the 
Board of Directors, are distributed 
across four major committees: Pro-
gram, Governance, Advancement and 
Finance, and three Advisory Councils. 
Graphic depictions of the NFI's com-
mittees, councils, subcommittees and 
their respective activities can be seen 
here and on the next page.

A semi-annual publication of the NIDCAP Federation International ©2021. The statements and 
opinions contained in this newsletter are solely those of the individual authors and contributors 
and not necessarily of the NIDCAP Federation International. Articles from the Developmental 
Observer, duly acknowledged, may be reprinted with permission. Please contact us at: 
developmentalobserver@nidcap.org.

Senior Editor Kaye Spence AM

Associate Editors Diane Ballweg, APRN, CCNS, Deborah Buehler, PhD, Sandra Kosta, BA
    gretchen Lawhon, PhD, RN, FAAN, Maria Lopez Maestro, MD

Associate Editor Jeffrey R. Alberts, PhD 
for Science

Column Editor Debra Paul OTR/L 
Family Voices

Contributions

We would like to thank all of our individual donors for their 
generous support of the NFI and its continuing work.

Developmental 
  Observer

THE NFI CELEBRATES 20 YEARS!
Deborah Buehler, PhD, Sandra Kosta, BA DOI: 10.14434/do.v14i2.32998

developmentalobserver@nidcap.org


Developmental Observer  •  2021  •  3  

Members are welcome and encouraged to participate in the 
NFI’s mission to advance the philosophy and science of NIDCAP 
care and assure the quality of NIDCAP education, training, 
mentoring and certification for professionals and hospital systems. 

Whether you wish to volunteer time to write a blog or be inter-
viewed for a podcast or join a committee or taskforce… there is 
a place for you to contribute. Please direct your questions and 
interest to info@nidcap.org. 

We look forward to continuing to 
realize the NFI’s potential together 
over the next 20 years!

info@nidcap.org