Author: Acceleration

Healthy Start activities and the impact of program efforts to improve birth outcomes are highlighted in the 2017 Annual Report released recently by the Florida Association of Healthy Start Coalitions. Nearly 90,000 pregnant women and 62,000 families with newborns received services through the program last year. An additional 138,000 pregnant women on Medicaid were linked to … Continue reading “Healthy Start Activities, Impact Profiled in 2017 Annual Report”

By Dara Kam, News Service of Florida PDF article download Original article at Orlando Weekly

After nearly a decade of progress, prematurity rates in the U.S. and Florida increased in 2016, earning the country and state a “C” on the new March of Dimes Prematurity Report Card released today. Florida had a preterm birth rate of 10.1% in 2016, compared to 10.0% in the prior year. Nationally, the rate increased from … Continue reading “2017 MOD Prematurity Report Card: Progress Stalls in FL, U.S.”

Healthy Start Coalitions join organizations worldwide this month in remembering families that have experienced a loss during pregnancy.  Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day is observed October 15 and will be marked by memorials and other activities, such as the Walk to Remember, held annually in Tallahassee by the Capital Area Healthy Start Coalition. Nearly … Continue reading “Coalitions Support Families Experiencing Loss, Focus on Systems Change Through FIMR”

The Florida Association of Healthy Start Coalitions (FAHSC) is seeking $12.8 million in additional state funding in FY 2018-19 to address the growing opioid epidemic and support the delivery of Healthy Start services to more at-risk pregnant women and newborns. The organization, which represents 32 local coalitions working to reduce infant mortality and promote healthy … Continue reading “Funding to Address Opioid Crisis, Support Healthy Start Services Top FAHSC Legislative Priorities”

Florida’s infant mortality rate dropped slightly in 2016, but the state continues to face challenges with disparities and the growing number of babies impacted by the opioid crisis. Statewide, 1,380 babies died before reaching their first birthdays in 2016, compared to 1,400 in the previous year.  Florida’s infant mortality rate was 6.1 deaths per 1000 … Continue reading “September is Infant Mortality Awareness Month”

Florida Healthy Start Coalitions are joining maternal and child health organizations worldwide in observing World Breastfeeding Week August 1-7. Breastfeeding education and support is a core service available to expectant and new families participating in the Healthy Start program. In 2016, Healthy Start staff provided counseling to more than 30,000 participants. The American Academy of … Continue reading “Healthy Start Celebrates World Breastfeeding Week”

The Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs (AMCHP) has launched a website to promote the maternal mortality review process as the gold standard for measuring and reducing pregnancy related death. Review to Action advances the measurement of pregnancy-related deaths and the translation of maternal mortality review findings into population-based solutions and interventions, and serves … Continue reading “New Website Seeks to Strengthen Maternal Mortality Reviews to Reduce Pregnancy-Related Deaths”

Florida Association of Healthy Start Coalitions, Inc. and its affiliate Healthy Start MomCare Network, Inc. are soliciting proposals from CPA firms to provide auditing and tax preparation services for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2017, with the option of auditing its financial statements for each of the two subsequent fiscal years. Please read the … Continue reading “Business Opportunities”

Funding was awarded by the Florida MIECHV initiative to establish new evidence-based home visiting programs in four high-need communities, and expand services in four additional programs. New sites include: Bay, Franklin, Gulf Healthy Start Coalition will provide Parents As Teachers to 50 families in Bay County; The Okeechobee County Healthy Start Coalition will offer Parents … Continue reading “FL MIECHV Funds New, Expanded Home Visiting Programs in High-Need Communities”