Indigenous Families

The HFA model currently supports Indigenous families at 55 Healthy Families affiliated sites. The model has a 30+ year history of implementation with Indigenous and First Nation families in the US and Canada.

Family stories

HFA Parent

Rosebud Sioux tribe

The [HFA] program is a great opportunity for me! Has benefited my family in amazing ways.

HFA Home Visitor / Supervisor

I started working for Healthy Families as home visitor in 2011, I enjoy working with Indigenous families, it helps me give back to my culture. I enjoy watching families fall in love with their babies and watching the families continue to grow and bond until graduation, celebrating their successes. In 2019 I become a supervisor, now I have the opportunity to empower my home visitors as they work with Indigenous families sharing how to use the medicine wheel as a teaching tool for families.

HFA Parent

Oglala Lakota Sioux

Being a part of [HFA] is amazing. How much help & guidance, it made my son & I relationship unbreakable. It made me realize, it’s okay to have bad days but not to dwell on it, always look for brighter picture.

HFA parent

Chippewa Turtle Mountain tribe

…as a single father with custody of all 5 of my children, [HFA] helped me build a relationship and strong bond with my youngest son, and my other children also. I really like making goals for my child and myself. I have reached my goals and am now a special education teacher.”

HFA is Culturally Responsive and Extends Flexibility Where it Matters Most

Eligibility criteria

Sites define eligibility criteria based on existing needs within the community

Parenting materials

Sites select parenting materials culturally reflective of the families served, ensuring traditional parenting practices and customs are included

Hiring staff with lived expertise

HFA emphasizes the value of hiring staff with lived expertise and knowledge of the community served, increasing opportunities for diverse representation and equitable access to all positions

The HFA model puts local leaders in control by having the community identify existing service needs and the best mechanism to get support to families

Contact Diana today to learn more

Diana, our Site Development Specialist, has compiled helpful information from our affiliates currently serving Indigenous families, and is looking forward to helping you think about how HFA might work well alongside of your cultural traditions and customs, including even the way you think about who “family” is.

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