Development Tips and Support Straight to our Phones

By: Lanie Kitchel | Intern, First Things First Porter County

My name is Lanie, and I am the First Things First Porter County intern. I have always had a passion for working with children which led to me taking a high school internship at the Duneland Early Learning HUB where I learned a lot about developmental activities, and the importance of child and caregiver engagement. As someone who’s dipped their toes into early child development, I’ve seen firsthand the impact that timely and trusted information can have on a child’s growth and a parent’s confidence. In today’s crazy and fast-paced world, new families and expecting parents are often overwhelmed with all the new information. Navigating through these tips and tricks can seem intimidating...so what if they had this support at their fingertips? This summer, I have been given the opportunity to oversee a new service that First Things First Porter County is providing, called Bright by Text.

Bright by Text is a free service that sends prenatal and parenting advice via text message from pregnancy through age nine. These messages are age-based (to meet the specific needs of your child), topic-based (to provide support about specific concern), and location-based (so you never miss an opportunity in Porter County). Some examples include healthcare tips, activity ideas, event details, and general information. Additionally, Bright by Text offers both English, and Spanish messages. They also offer specific programs within the service such as “COOK” which provides recipes for nutritious meals, and “BOND” which equips you with methods for creating a secure relationship with your child. These messages are convenient, reliable, and can make the difference in your journey through parenthood. Caregivers report that Bright by Text built their confidence and furthered their connections with their children. Our mission is to give kids a bright beginning and the support to thrive.

Our partners throughout Porter County play a crucial role in the support for new and expecting parents and caregivers. Not only can our partners help start the conversation of healthy early child development, but they can also share their important events and opportunities via Bright by Text. Collaborating with healthcare and early childhood experts to create these location-based messages is the most effective way to extend our reach and create a bigger impact.

First Things First invites all families to take advantage of this free service to ensure they are supported throughout their parenting journey. Partners and providers are also encouraged to join us in spreading key advice and events with our community.

How to submit a Bright by Text message as a provider/partner

Fill out this online form at least 14 days prior to your intended send date. In this form, you’ll share the important details of your different events and opportunities throughout Porter County. We consider the target age range, zip code, and date to get the most engagement with our community. When a message is submitted, it must get approved, and then it is put onto the calendar.

How to get Bright by Text messages sent to your phone

As parents, you are not expected to know every little thing about raising your child. Resources like Bright by Text embody commitment to providing families with the tools they need to ensure their children succeed. By signing up, you’ll receive 2-3 messages a week tailored to your needs. To sign up, visit this page or text PORTER to 274 448

My time this summer at First Things First has helped me take a huge step in the right direction. While I’ve gotten the chance to work with kids and promote resources to benefit their development, I’ve also made so many new connections within my community. I was able to learn about countless career options within the foundation as well as outside. And most importantly, after working with an incredibly hard-working, personable team of people, I feel more confident and prepared than ever for whatever career opportunities the future holds for me.