Florida Keys Healthy Start Coalition Inc

UNITE PEOPLE AND RESOURCES TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF PREGNANT WOMEN, CHILDREN, AND THEIR FAMILIES THROUGH CARE COORDINATION, SUBSIDIZED PRENATAL AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, SAFETY SUPPORT, CHILD DEVELOPMENT, PARENTING RESOURCES, AND REFERRAL TO PARTNERING AGENCIES.

THE HEALTHY START PROGRAM CONTINUED TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO OVER 75% OF ALL NEW AND GROWING FAMILIES IN MONROE COUNTY WHO WELCOMED CHILDREN THIS YEAR. INDIVIDUAL SERVICES ARE TAILORED TO A FAMILYS NEEDS AND INCLUDE CARE COORDINATION, CASE MANAGEMENT, AND REFERRALS AND INTERCONCEPTIONAL CARE. HEALTHY START SERVES AS OUR OVERALL ASSESSMENT RESOURCE AND REFERRAL SYSTEM. ACCESS TO SERVICES BEGINS WITH A PRENATAL SCREEN COMPLETED AT A WOMANS FIRST OBSTETRICAL DOCTORS APPOINTMENT. INFANTS ARE ALSO SCREENED AT BIRTH TO IDENTIFY POSSIBLE FACTORS THAT COULD IMPACT A BABYS HEALTH OR DEVELOPMENT IN THE FIRST YEAR OF LIFE. DURING OUR FISCAL YEAR 2020-2021, 781 PREGNANT WOMEN AND INFANTS WERE SCREENED TO IDENTITY POTENTIAL RISKS FOR POOR BIRTH OUTCOMES AND DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS; 552 QUALIFIED FOR SERVICES AND REFERRAL TO COMMUNITY PARTNERS. 323 WOMEN AND INFANTS WERE ENROLLED IN HEALTHY START TO RECEIVE ASSISTANCE.

HEALTHY BABIES ADDRESSES THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF PARENTS AND BABIES DURING PREGNANCY AND THE FIRST FEW MONTHS OF LIFE. THROUGH SUBSIDIZED PRENATAL MEDICAL CARE, SUPPORTIVE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, TRANSPORTATION TO VITAL MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS, CHILDBIRTH EDUCATION, AND LACTATION SUPPORT SERVICES WE ARE ABLE TO ENSURE BABIES ARE BORN HEALTHY TO PREPARED PARENTS. DURING OUR FISCAL YEAR OF 2020-2021, WE PROVIDED TRANSPORTATION FOR 139 PREGNANT WOMEN TO 446 SUBSIDIZED PRENATAL CARE APPOINTMENTS, DRIVING A TOTAL OF 17,880 MILES TO ENSURE THAT THEY RECEIVED PRENATAL CARE. WE PROVIDED OVER 206 HOURS OF ONE-ON-ONE COUNSELING SESSIONS WITH OUR MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL TO 18 MOTHERS EXPERIENCING PMAD (PREVIOUSLY KNOWN AS POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION). WE COACHED 29 MOMS AND THEIR PARTNERS TO MEET THEIR BREASTFEEDING GOALS AND EMPOWERED 26 FAMILIES FOR THEIR CHILDBIRTH EXPERIENCE THROUGH CHILDBIRTH CLASS.

KEYS TO SUPPORTING FAMILIES IS OUR NEWEST PROGRAM, ADDRESSING CLIENT ASSISTANCE AND NUTRITION SUPPORT WITH BABY SUPPLIES SUCH AS DIAPERS, STROLLER, FORMULA, AND BABY FOOD. THROUGH PROVISION OF ITEM/SUPPLIES WE ARE ABLE TEACH FAMILIES ABOUT THEIR PROPER USE AND ALLOW THEIR FINITE RESOURCES TO BE USED TO COVER OTHER COSTS AND NEEDS. DURING OUR FISCAL YEAR OF 2020-2021, WE SUPPLIED STRUGGLING FAMILIES WITH 73,397 DIAPERS AND 12,320 WIPES. WE ALSO PROVIDED OTHER NEEDED ITEMS SUCH AS STROLLERS, PACK AND PLAYS FOR SAFE SLEEP, CRIB SHEETS, BABY BATH TUBS, CLOTHES, TOYS AND OTHER ITEMS. IN PARTNERSHIP WITH LOCAL FOOD PANTRIES AND DISTRIBUTION SITES, FKHSC BECAME THE GO-TO AGENCY FOR FORMULA AND BABY FOOD, PROVIDING NUTRITIONAL SUPPORT TO FAMILIES IN THE KEYS.