It's not the way any parent plans it. Instead of taking a newborn home, he spends weeks, even months in a Newborn Intensive Care Unit.

Now, parents will have someone along on the roller coaster ride of good days and bad days: an NICU family support specialist.

Cole Chenoweth had the odds stacked against him -- born at 26 weeks, weighing just two pounds

But his mom, Leslie Chenoweth says, "He's just been a little fighter from the get-go."

The NICU at the Nebraska Medical Center is the only home Cole has ever known. From the monitors to the Isolette, it's taken some getting used to

Leslie says, "He was two weeks old before I got to hold him and that was the most stressful thing, seeing the monitors go off."

It's Sarah Nelson's job to ease concerns.

As a family support specialist, she'll help families learn about their child's medical needs and offer emotional support. She knows what the Chenoweths are going through because her own daughter was born two months premature.

Sarah says, "You feel like you're isolated and your family and friends don't understand what's going on with you and your baby. I want to be part of changing that for parents."

The March of Dimes launched the project bringing the national president in to tour the Nebraska Medical Center and Alegent Health Bergan Mercy.

Sarah Nelson will split her time, helping families in both NICUs.

Dr. Jennifer Howse, President of the March of Dimes says, "They have less anxiety about their baby's stay in the hospital and they have more confidence as they work towards the transition to bring their babies home."

For the Chenoweths, that day still seems a long way off.

Leslie says "Maybe he doesn't learn ABCs as fast as my first or he has to come home on oxygen. It doesn't matter anymore. I just want him to come home."

Until then, Cole and his family will have plenty of support.

The NICU family support program reaches out to more than moms and dads. Sibling groups and events for extended family are also planned.