Goodwill Nurse-Family Partnership® (NFP) is a maternal-child health program, which pairs first-time, expectant parents with a registered nurse for ongoing visits to support families so they can provide the very best start for their children during the earliest, most developmentally critical years.

While this work is important on an individual level and ensures that each parent has the dedicated support and resources they need to be successful, there are broader implications that affect health outcomes in Indiana.

Alongside ensuring healthier births for parents, Goodwill NFP is also committed to ensuring that infants develop properly and maintain a healthy weight – all of which contributes to the infant mortality rate. Both are key indicators of health that can provide information about the health status of a population.

Michelle Washington, the director of central operations for Goodwill NFP, leads a team of administrators, community health workers and six respective teams of nurses dedicated to making changes to maternal and infant health in Indiana. 

“I make sure everything is running smoothly in each of the teams I support,” said Michelle. “There are things I really love about being a director such as making relationships with people.”

Oftentimes, Goodwill NFP’s ability to outreach and connect with the community is crucial. From attending health fairs to participating in conferences, community outreach leads to more parents joining the program and finding valuable resources for enrolled families. For example, Michelle holds a position on the Indiana Maternal Mortality Review Committee (MMRC), which identifies the issues contributing to pregnancy-related deaths and recommends interventions.

Working with the Indiana Maternal Mortality Review Committee helps Goodwill NFP hone their strategies to ensure parents remain healthy during their pregnancy. Goodwill NFP’s involvement with the Indiana MMRC has led to parents receiving tools to monitor their blood pressure, a major factor in pregnancy outcomes. It has also influenced Goodwill NFP’s car seat safety courses as motor accidents are another major element in maternal and infant mortality.

“Having access to the MMRC’s report drives a lot of what we do,” said Michelle. “We are a preventative tool and measure for many vulnerable parents to make sure they're not having adverse effects during pregnancy.”

As a mother of three, Michelle’s work at Goodwill NFP is not only professionally fulfilling, but also personally rewarding. Being with Goodwill NFP has taught her about the many different ways to care for people, as well as the barriers that people encounter – barriers that people can overcome with a little help.

“I really want clients to feel that they are being supported and empowered in our program and I love to know we are making an impact,” she said. 

Visit our website to learn more about Goodwill NFP.