Speaking At:

“TALKY, TALKY, TALKY” – American Samoa’s Approach to HFA

Bio:

Tina Ioane is the newly appointed Program Manager for Aiga Manuia, which is The Healthy Families American Samoa Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program operating under the American Samoa Government's Department of Health. Prior to taking on this role, Tina dedicated 12 years to the Healthy Families American Samoa program as the Quality Assurance/Quality Improvement personnel. This experience provided her with a solid foundation in the principles and practices of home visiting. Before Healthy Families, Tina spent over ten years working with families and children, particularly within homeless environments and non-profit organizations. Having been raised in American Samoa and raising her family abroad, she developed a deep commitment to community service and a strong passion for supporting those in need. These personal experiences further fuel her dedication to the mission of the Aiga Manuia program.Joining Tina during this presentation are other members of the Healthy Families American Samoa Team, most of whom have also been doing this work for the last twelve years. Their experience with HFA families has highlighted the importance of cultural practices such as singing, sharing, and demonstrating as powerful and effective methods for supporting families about the critical role of early brain development through everyday activities in various settings.