Goodwill Nurse-Family Partnership® (NFP) pairs first-time, expectant parents with a registered nurse for ongoing one-on-one visits aimed at supporting families in providing the very best start for their children during the earliest, most developmentally critical years. Nurses partner with families from their baby’s birth until the child turns two years old, helping them achieve healthy pregnancies and childhoods while uncovering their skills as parents.
Between the child’s birth and toddlerhood, NFP Nurses also deliver trusted information on the best practices in maternal health care, as well as child health and child development. Nurses also assist families with overcoming socioeconomic barriers with connections to housing and food resources, gainful employment and education opportunities. Over the course of two years, families make great strides in order to secure a future for themselves and their children.
To commemorate the families’ growth in and journey with their baby, Goodwill NFP holds graduation ceremonies at local community centers. For Goodwill NFP parents living in central Indiana, the most recent graduation took place at North Methodist Church.
“This group of graduates started their NFP journey during the pandemic," said Michelle Washington, co-director of Goodwill NFP's central operations. "That time was filled with so much uncertainty. These families trusted us to become a part of their journey to parenthood. They agreed to meet with a nurse and kept meeting with their nurse for over two years! They showed up, even when they may not have been feeling well, were up the night before with their baby or had their own busy schedule. We don’t take that lightly, and we thank them for letting us walk alongside them as they worked with their nurse to set goals that were important to them and their family.”
The graduation ceremony emphasizes the connection between nurses and families, built over two years of trust. Nurses present their clients’ certificates of completion to them personally and recognize their clients’ strengths and commitment to learning. One of the graduates, Jasmine Jackson, spoke about how she felt more equipped to handle any barriers in her life alongside her nurse.
“She became more than a nurse,” said Jasmine. “She became a part of my support system. She connected me to resources I don’t know if I could do without.”
Jasmine proudly announced that she will be graduating with her bachelor's degree in May of 2024. Looking toward bright futures, Jasmine and over 60 central Indiana families graduated from Goodwill Nurse-Family Partnership this spring.
To date, Goodwill NFP has served over 7,500 families in 61 Indiana counties. To refer yourself or someone else to the program, visit goodwillnfp.org.