September – November 2025
The Tribal Home Visiting (THV) Program has had an exciting and productive few months! From traveling to Minnesota for the annual meeting, to hosting our first site visit here in Allegany, and soon heading to New Mexico for training — our team continues to grow, connect, and strengthen the program to best serve families in our community.
Annual In-Person Meeting
Prior Lake, Minnesota – September 9–11, 2025
Our team attended the Annual Tribal Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (TMIECHV) Meeting, joining other tribal grantees, federal project officers, and technical assistants from across the country. The conference opened with a warm blessing from a Shakopee elder and a powerful keynote from Matika Wilbur, creator of Project 562, who spoke about Indigenous identity, storytelling, and passing traditions to our children.
Alicia and I hosted an information table highlighting the Seneca CRNA, connecting with over 200 attendees and building relationships with partners from NACS in Buffalo and DIG cohorts. The event was culture-centered, filled with opportunities to share ideas, and offered valuable networking that will help strengthen our own THV program.
Year One Site Visit
Allegany Territory – September 23–24, 2025
Later in September, we had the honor of hosting our first TMIECHV Site Visit here in Allegany. Our Federal Project Officer and Technical Assistants visited our community to experience firsthand why this program is so important.
Together, we met with community partners and the THV Advisory Committee to discuss the program’s goals and how each person in attendance contributes to its success. On the second day, we toured Salamanca and visited the Onöhsagwe:de’ Cultural Center, where our guests learned more about Seneca history and culture. They expressed their gratitude for the warm welcome and the beauty of our territory.
Looking Ahead: Family Spirit Training
Albuquerque, New Mexico – November 2–6, 2025
Next month, our THV team will travel to New Mexico for Family Spirit Curriculum Training, the evidence-based model we’ll use for our home visits. Family Spirit is a culturally relevant, home-based parenting and health education program designed by and for Native communities.
Through this training, our team will gain the tools to deliver high-quality home visits that support family wellness, early childhood development, and cultural connection. We look forward to bringing this knowledge home and continuing to build a strong foundation for our upcoming program launch this spring!
