Goodwill has a long history of helping those with disabilities increase their independence and reach their potential, especially through employment. About 10 percent of people in the U.S. have what’s called invisible disabilities. That means a physical, mental or neurological condition that limits a person’s movements, senses or activities and is invisible to the average onlooker.

First-time mom Arian Baker, 33, learned about Goodwill’s Nurse-Family Partnership through her obstetrician. As a medical student she knew that maternal and infant mortality rates are much higher among African-American women. She worked with her nurse to educate herself about the changes that were happening to her body and managing stress that could adversely affect her developing baby.

Older workers are a growing part of the 21st century labor force, and they bring a wealth of knowledge, experience and maturity to the workplace. To celebrate their contributions, Goodwill of Central & Southern Indiana is observing National Employ Older Workers Week from September 24-28, 2018.

Over 40 years of research proves the Nurse-Family Partnership^® model of working with first-time mothers can change behavior and lead to healthier birth outcomes. But can NFP positively influence the pregnancies of women who have had previous births? What impact does a nurse home visitor have on the development of older children in the home? These are the questions that NFP Founder Dr. David Olds wants to answer by studying multiparous moms—women who have borne more than one child.

Eskenazi Health is a champion of Goodwill’s NFP, evidenced by the fact that they made 851 referrals in 2017! Our partnership complements their own Healthy Families initiative, a free, community-based program that supports Marion County families with newborns.

July 26 marks the 28th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a civil rights law that created protections for people with disabilities. The law comprehensively covers public accommodations, such as access to public buildings and government services, and also guarantees equal opportunity in the areas of employment, education, housing, even telecommunications and technology. People living with disabilities represent one of the largest minority populations in the U.S.

Goodwill is a longtime champion when it comes to inclusion for the nearly 50 million Americans — one out of five people — living with a disability. We advocate, create, and support opportunities both within and outside the walls of our own organization. Approximately  19% of Hoosiers experience some level of disability.

Here are some thoughts on the ADA from Betsy Delgado, Vice President of Mission and Education Initiatives:

What was life like for people living with disabilities before the ADA?

“The ADA really leveled the playing field. It afforded those with physical, intellectual or cognitive disabilities the opportunity to have fairer access to education, employment, housing, transportation and many other areas. The law is significant because all of those things make a difference in an individual’s ability to be independent — to have a productive and fulfilling life. The action word in Goodwill’s mission is ‘empowering.’ Through our many programs, including disability services, we create avenues for all people to lead independent lives and reach their highest potential. The ADA complements Goodwill’s mission across the organization.”

Nurse-Family Partnership mom Christina, 29, credits her pregnancy, the birth of her daughter Kalea and the help of Goodwill’s Nurse-Family Partnership as reasons why she’s not another statistic.

Mental Health Matters

About one in seven women will experience some type of mood or anxiety disorder during pregnancy or through the first year postpartum. While depression and anxiety are common, pregnant and postpartum women can experience a myriad of mental health conditions, including panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder and, in rare cases, psychosis.

Grace is a typical 5-year-old who likes to play dress up and watch cartoons on YouTube. She’s healthy, has lots of friends and has hit every developmental milestone since infancy. She’s eager to start kindergarten. Each of these things is a small miracle given that her mother’s journey to Indianapolis began 20 years ago and more than 8,000 miles away.

Goodwill’s Nurse-Family Partnership^® (NFP) pairs mothers pregnant with their first child with a registered nurse for ongoing home visits aimed at supporting mothers and families in providing the very best start for their children during the earliest, most developmentally critical years. NFP is an international, community health program, widely researched and recognized for increasing health care access and improving health outcomes.

Goodwill’s NFP expanded its reach in southern Indiana in early 2017 and our first baby was born in November.