Welcoming New Team Members and Moving Forward with Program Design
We are excited to bring you the latest updates from the Tribal Home Visiting Program!
Meet Our New Home Visitors
Please join us in giving a warm welcome to Alicia Sanford and Kayla Kraus, our newest Home Visitors serving the Allegany Territory.
Alicia has over ten years of experience with the Seneca Nation helping individuals enrolled in Early Childhood and TERC. She currently holds a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood and has dedicated her life to working with children, beginning as a teenage babysitter and continuing through her career. She is an enrolled Seneca mother of four, Turtle clan.
Kayla brings with her a bachelor’s degree in Community & Human Services with a minor in Child and Family Studies. She previously helped serve families in Cattaraugus County with community service navigation and parental education.
Both Alicia and Kayla are mothers in our community and bring not only professional experience but also personal understanding to the families they serve. Their compassion, knowledge, and commitment to supporting families make them incredible additions to our team!
Welcome to the Advisory Committee
We are also thrilled to welcome Jacquelyn B’Winnie to the Tribal Home Visiting Advisory Committee (THVAC). Jacquelyn is an enrolled Seneca mother and a Registered Nurse with many years of experience in healthcare. Her voice and expertise will be an invaluable asset to our committee and program. With Jacquelyn’s appointment, the THVAC now includes three active members guiding the program with community-centered insight.
THVAC Members: Markie Phillips, Cynthia Smith, and Jacquelyn B’Winnie
What’s Happening in the Program?
Back in March, we partnered with Nokomis Strategies to lead a Community Needs and Readiness Assessment. With feedback directly from community members, we were able to craft a vision that reflects our priorities and strengths. We’re happy to report that the assessment was approved, and we’re now entering the Program Design Phase! The THV Team has officially chosen to use the Family Spirit Curriculum!
This next step involves working closely with our community partners to establish clear processes and supports that reflect the values and needs of our families. Expect to hear from us as we continue building these relationships and finalizing our program foundation.
For questions or to get involved, feel free to reach out to our team. We’re excited about the future and grateful to be on this journey with you.
