Fuel2Flourish: Nurses as Trusted Voices Promoting Latino Child Well-Being Across Nine U.S. States

Fuel2Flourish is a nurse-led initiative designed to center the voices of nurses, who are active leaders within the National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN), as trusted messengers and role models in advancing the nutritional and emotional well-being of school-age children. Operating across nine local chapters in different states, this community-rooted program was built in partnership with national policy stakeholders and community leaders to respond to what children and families need most: support they can trust from people who understand their lived experiences. This study employed qualitative methods to gain feedback from chapter program leads to examine implementation processes and early perceived impacts. Through bilingual education toolkits, culturally relevant storytelling, and nurse-led workshops, nurses engaged directly with students, parents, and educators to create safe, inclusive spaces for learning and connection. Despite limited budgets and varied local conditions, Fuel2Flourish thrived by aligning clinical nursing expertise with community insight and action. This article describes the partnerships formed, and the early signs of impact seen on the ground. Fuel2Flourish shows what's possible when nurses are equipped and empowered to lead, bringing creative, locally tailored solutions to the forefront of child health promotion.