Family Spirit Nurture

Promoting Healthy Infant Feeding and Growth

A short-term home visiting program designed by Johns Hopkins Center for Indigenous health in partnership with Native American communities.

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Proven Postive Impact for Native Babies

The program is proven to promote healthy infant feeding and growth in the first year of life and reduce early childhood obesity risk. Lessons can be delivered in client homes, office visits, group settings, or virtually. Strengths based and adaptable to local cultural practices.

Read More About the Evidence Based Research

Sample text message: Eat for Strength! Fruits, vegetables and water can keep your family healthy and boost energy levels.

Ready-to-teach Lessons

Health educators can have meaningful discussions with families around nutrition and healthy eating with the Family Spirit Nurture program.

The Family Spirit Nurture curriculum provides a structured, careful approach that connects families to strengths and culture. Participant centered lesson activities, role play scenarios, discussion prompts and goal setting are included in each lesson.

Curriculum Topics Include:

  • Moderating sugar intake
  • Encouraging breastfeeding
  • Responsive feeding practices
  • Indigenous foods
  • Native foodways
  • Eating for strength
  • Connecting to local food resources
  • Support and empowerment for caregivers

 

Complete On-Demand Training for Health Educators

The Family Spirit Nurture Implementation Package includes an in-depth training course for health educators that can be completed on their own time.

Feeding and Nutrition

Messages include culturally based information, resources and support related to feeding your infant as well as nourishing yourself. 

Goal Setting Messages

Some messages will include ideas for setting goals related to infant feeding and your own nutrition.

Parent Mental Health and Wellbeing

Messages will include affirmation and resources to support overall mental health and wellbeing for caregivers with young children.

Sample text message: Did you know babies don’t need juice or other sugary drinks? Your baby can take small sips of water from a sippy cup or bottle now!

Nutrition Resources for Your Family

Check out our resources page for links to local and national resources to nourish your family with the best practices and the best food and drink choices possible.

View Resources

Find Recipes and Cooking Inspiration

Check out our recipes page for new ideas for nourishing your family with Indigenous foods. Submit your favorite recipes to our Community Recipe Box to share with other families.

View Recipes

Frequently Asked Questions

Please view responses to frequently asked questions about the Family Spirit Nurture Text Messaging Service. If you have additional questions, submit an inquiry on our Contact page, or send an email to familyspiritnurture@jhu.edu.

View Full FAQ
Is there a cost to receive Family Spirit text messages?

It is completely free to sign up for Family Spirit text messages. As with any text-based service, messaging and data rates may apply based on your carrier and cellular plan.

I signed up for text messages but am not receiving any messages. What should I do?

Text SIGNUP to () from your mobile device to ensure the device is already signed up. If you are still not receiving any messages, please reach out to us via email at familyspiritnurture@jhu.edu.

How do I change my preferences for frequency and types of text messages that I receive?

Text CHANGE to ()to update your message preferences.

How do I stop receiving text messages?

Text STOP to ()to stop receiving the Family Spirit Nurture text messages.

We’re here to support you!

As a parent or caregiver, you already have your child’s best interests in mind. Every healthy choice, no matter how small, makes a difference.

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