Beginning fall of 2017, the Family Spirit program was born in the Wind Rivers.
Family Spirit was developed to assist young families and has been implemented and evaluated by the Johns Hopkins Center for American Indian Health in partnership with the Navajo, White Mountain Apache, and San Carlos Apache Tribes since 1995.
Wind River Family Spirit follows a curriculum to help parents gain the knowledge and skills that promote healthy development and positive lifestyles. Home educators cover a variety of topics, such as how to make a budget, positive parenting, and swaddling your newborn.
A leading driver and partner of the program is Wind River Family and Community Health Care (Wind River Cares). Many of their clinicians and staff are also trained to provide services. In review of 2018, they report some encouraging statistics about the launch of Family Spirit.
Their initial goal of 80 enrolled families was far exceeded with 109 families and approximately 400 home visits completed by the Family Spirit staff thus far.
In a satisfaction survey,
- 88.9% of respondents felt like they were better parents because of the Family Spirit program
- 88.9% of respondents would recommend Family Spirit program to others
- 100% of respondents reported they have learned many helpful skill during their lessons in order to help them be better parents
Family Spirit and Wind River Cares appreciates the collaboration with supporters like Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), Fremont County Home Visitation coalition and March of Dimes.
- 99% of the Car Seats awarded for 2017-18 have been donated. BIA has renewed the car seat grant for 2018-19, along with grant monies.
- Fremont County Visitation coalition held a very successful community baby shower in September 2018. Resources, education and raffle donations were given out.
- March of Dimes has offered Wind River Cares the last spot in their grant to implement “Supportive Pregnancy” care in an effort to decrease the prematurity birth rate in Fremont County and the Native American population. Training to take place in June of 2019.
Various other data has been collected to better understand where the current needs reside, such as alcohol and drug abuse during pregnancy, premature births, unplanned pregnancies, and postpartum depression.
In response to the needs presenting, Wind River Family Spirit is currently working toward their 2019 Goals. These plans include, but are not limited to, implementing an incentive program (grocery gift cards for meal planning, budgeting or nutrition lessons), hiring an additional Home Educator, decreasing average postpartum depression scores, and sending Family Spirit Staff to travel to Minnesota in April/May to visit another successful Family Spirit program.
“We hope to gain new insights and ideas to help us improve our program,” explained Kim Clemetson, Family Spirit Director, Maternal Child Health Supervisor, MCHRN. “Family Spirit has a lot of potential. We look forward to watching the program grow in the years to come.”
Below is a video released by the National Home Visiting Resource Center which captures the philosophy of Family Spirit.
THIS CONTENT HAS BEEN PROVIDED BY Wind River Family & Community Health Care
Wind River Cares believes in the power of good healthcare. Through quality and accessible healthcare they seek to improve the lives of the native community and their neighbors. Primary and preventive care, pediatrics, and orthodontic services are currently available.
For appointments and urgent care needs, please call 856-9281.
*Transportation continues to be provided at the Arapaho and Ethete Locations.