January 2022

FLORIDA'S HEALTHY START: A 30-YEAR SUCCESS STORY Florida Healthy Start is celebrating 30-years of helping to provide our state’s babies a positive path to a great future.   To begin, let’s take a quick look back… In 1991, the concept of Healthy Start Coalitions and services was first championed by Governor Lawton Chiles and First Lady Rhea Chiles to address the alarming rates of infant mortality and precariously low birth weights in Florida, and also to remove systemic barriers to prenatal and early childhood health care.    As grandparents of a low-birthweight grandson, Lawton IV, the Chiles grandparents saw first-hand the need for an investment in quality maternal health services to improve the futures of all newborns. Today, Florida’s 32 regional Healthy Start Coalitions are responsible for working within a coordinated system of care across the state, providing vital health education and support services for pregnant women and young children up to age three and their families   What a difference Healthy Start has made! Since we launched 30 years ago, more than 6.6-million babies have been born in Florida. We are thrilled to report that recently released infant mortality data for Florida shows Florida has seen more than a 34-percent reduction of infant mortality.   To put it another way, if Florida’s infant mortality rate today was the same as 30 years ago, 650 more babies would have died last year alone…. that’s equal to 31 kindergarten classes.   By using a simple universal screening assessment, we’re able to identify risks faced by expectant mothers and newborns and respond to those risks with a variety of resources. The data tells a great story of success:   Last year, 136,778 pregnant women completed the universal risk screening, and 198,489 infants were screened out of 207,730 infants born. More than 129,000 pregnant women and 84,000 babies, and their families received a service from Healthy Start in any of our programs.   And for the moms and babies who received Healthy Start home services as designed: 90% of babies were born full term Infant mortality rate was 2.77 per 1,000 live births 100% were screened for depression 84% of mothers who smoked quit or reduced their use 87% kept their postpartum doctor visits   These statistics represent dramatic improvement in the health of Florida moms and babies – a huge impact, particularly when considering the enormous resources that are needed to care for moms and babies with complex health challenges.    Here’s our direct message: If you’re expecting a baby, we want to help you achieve a healthy pregnancy and to deliver a healthy baby who has a great beginning to a healthy life!   Our programs focus on three main areas of impact:   A reduction in the occurrence of infant deaths A reduction in the number of low birth weight and preterm births An improvement in maternal and child health developmental outcomes  Throughout the state, Healthy Start Coalitions work tirelessly with local partners to provide services that have a positive impact on birth outcomes.    We’re so proud of the critical investments in maternal and infant health that have been made in Florida. Prevention is the best medicine, at every stage of life. Florida’s pioneering Healthy Start program is proof positive that quality care during pregnancy and the early years of life not only saves lives, but is the most cost effective investment for avoiding later costs. Both emotionally and economically, Healthy Start is a homegrown Florida success story.   For access to Florida Healthy Start information, visit https://www.healthystartflorida.com/   Cathy Timuta is CEO and Thelisha Thomas is Chair of the Board of the Florida Association of Healthy Start Coalitions FROM THE DIRECTOR Greetings, Happy New Year! We hope 2022 has already gotten off to a great start for you! This edition of the e-newsletter is full of great information. First, you will find an article written by the CEO of the Florida Association of the Healthy Start Coalitions (FAHSC), Cathy Timuta, which shares our successes as a program over the last 30 years. There is also information about several of our health observances this quarter. In January, we focus on maternal substance use. In February, we focus on perinatal dental health and in March we focus on proper birth spacing. In addition, you will see that the Florida Association of Healthy Start Coalitions had the privilege of honoring Florida Speaker Chris Sprowls for his efforts and support of extending Medicaid benefits for postpartum women up to one year after the birth of their child during this most recent legislative session. We are thankful for this new legislation which will provide much needed healthcare to many women across the state of Florida. Best,   Julie Moderie, MPH Program Director UPCOMING MEETINGS HSNCF Healthy Start Home Visitors Meeting Thurs., January 20th @ 9:00 AM HSNCF CI&R Home Visiting Advisory Committee Meeting Thurs., January 20th @ 11:00 AM HSNCF Service Provider Council Meeting Thurs., Feb. 17th @ 1:00 PM HSNCF Executive Committee Meeting Thurs., Feb. 17th @ 2:00 PM HSNCF Board of Directors Meeting Thurs., March 17th @ 2:00 PM COALITION SCREENING RATES July 2021 - December 2021 Prenatal (Goal = 70%) Alachua County - 61% Bradford County - 50% Columbia County - 63% Dixie County - 52% Gilchrist County - 50% Hamilton County - 68% Lafayette County - 74% Levy County - 40% Marion County - 54% Putnam County - 56% Suwannee County - 57% Union County - 57% Coalition - 57% State - 51% Infant (Goal = 85%) North Florida Regional Medical Center - 100% UF Health - 99% Lake City Medical Center - 100% Advent Health of Ocala - 100% The Ocala Birth Center - 100% Loving Arms Birth and Wellness Center - 43% Putnam Community Medical Center - 100% Coalition - 100% State - 96% *Please note that we believe the screening rates are not accurate and are working with DOH to identify and resolve the issue.

DENTAL HEALTH DURING PREGNANCY

What can Pregnant Women do to help prevent dental problems?  Here’s how pregnant women can help keep their teeth and gums healthy: Brush teeth with fluoride toothpaste twice a day and floss once a day. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles. Regular brushing and flossing can remove plaque and help keep the teeth and gums healthy. If they can’t brush their teeth because of vomiting, they may use antacids or rinse their mouth with a mixture of 1 teaspoon baking soda in 1 cup of water. Rinsing can help reduce the amount of acid in their mouth. Antacids are medicines that help neutralize stomach acid. Anyone can buy them over the counter without a prescription from a provider. But they shouldn't take any medicine—even OTC medicine—without talking to their provider first. Visit the dentist for a regular dental checkup every 6 months (twice a year), even during pregnancy. At their checkup, they should tell their dentist that they are pregnant. Eat healthy foods and limit sweets. Healthy foods include fruits and vegetables, lean meat, whole-grain breads and pasta and low-fat dairy products. Limit sweets and sugary foods and drink water instead of sugary drinks. Eating healthy foods helps give mom and the growing baby important nutrients. The baby’s teeth start developing between 3 and 6 months of pregnancy. Nutrients like calcium, protein, phosphorus, and vitamins A, C and D, help the baby’s teeth grow healthy. Don’t smoke.

Source: https://www.marchofdimes.org/pregnancy/dental-health-during-pregnancy.aspx

OPIOIDS IN PREGNANCY

Source: https://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/maternalinfanthealth/substance-abuse/prescription-opioid-use-during-pregnancy/index.htm

COALITION UPDATES

Board Membership Please contact Heather Hollingsworth if you have someone interested in becoming a Board Director. We are currently looking for representation from all three categories: community; advocacy and consumer. HSNCF is on AmazonSmile Don't forget to shop using AmazonSmile! With every purchase made using the following link, Amazon will make a donation to Healthy Start of North Central Florida at no additional cost to you. https://smile.amazon.com/ch/59-3118984 Marion County Health Department Bulletin Spotlights by Healthy Start The Marion County Healthy Start program has created a bulletin board which highlights a different maternal and child health topic each month. This bulletin is viewed by all Health Department staff and was created to bring awareness to the maternal and child health topics we observe in Healthy Start. In November, they spotlighted Preterm Labor and Premature Birth. In December, they spotlighted Tree and Toy Safety. Upcoming Event The 2022 Drive-Thru Marion County World's Greatest Baby Shower will be held on Saturday, February 26th from 1:00 PM until 3:00 PM at Kingdom Revival Church located at 3318 East Silver Spring Blvd., in Ocala, Florida. A virtual presentation with LIVE prize drawings will follow on Friday, March 4th.

January Anniversaries Elizabeth Garcia, Connect Representative (1/3/2019) - 3 Years Denise Denny, Connect Representative (1/6/2020) - 2 Years Kristin Nunez, Nurse Supervisor, Nurse-Family Partnership (1/6/2021) - 1 Year Maria Franco, Connect Representative (1/11/2021) - 1 Year April Lavergne-Hollinger, Nurse Home Visitor, Nurse-Family Partnership (1/25/2021) - 1 Year February Anniversary Sandee Muir, Nurse Supervisor, NewboRN Home Visiting Program (2/17/2021) - 1 Year March Anniversary Whitney Roache, Nurse Home Visitor, Nurse-Family Partnership (3/1/2021) - 1 Year Happy Work Anniversary to all those who are celebrating this quarter! Healthy Start Breastfeeding Bags for UF Health NICU Mothers Healthy Start of North Central Florida recently teamed up with NICU staff at UF Health to provide breastfeeding kits to mothers with infants who are anticipated to remain in the NICU for 2 weeks or more. These kits allow the mothers to track their milk production and transport it to the hospital. NICU staff have given out close to 60 kits so far and have noticed that most moms are still pumping at the time their infant is discharged from the hospital. We are excited to continue this collaboration with them in hopes that more mother's will be encouraged to continue breastfeeding baby even if they are in the NICU. CPR & Home Safety Training The NewboRN Home Visiting program has partnered with Health and Safety Training Services to provide pregnant women and new parents with the knowledge they need to keep their little ones safe. The class is provided by a trained professional and will cover CPR and basic home safety for infants. There is no charge for this course. Those interested in participating should go to Eventbrite - NewboRN CPR to register.

In Loving Memory of Maria Hernandez Maria Hernandez, a beloved member of the Dixie/Levy/Gilchrist Healthy Start team, passed away on Monday, January 17, 2022. Maria began working with the Healthy Start program in 2008 and made a positive impact on the many families she worked with over her tenure. Many will remember her amazing smile and the passion she had to help her community. She will be dearly missed. Prior to Maria's passing, she completed the Healthy Start Home Visitor Spotlight survey to be featured in an upcoming e-newsletter and we've included it below. We think you'll quickly see the wonderful person she was through her answers. How long have you worked for Healthy Start? 12 Years What do you like most about your job? The opportunity to teach new moms how to be better moms and how to have a healthy pregnancy. What do you enjoy doing in your free time? Read, crochet/knit and listen to 80's music. If you could learn to do anything, what would it be ? Another language What is one food you cannot resist? CHOCOLATE! What is your favorite season? Spring When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? I haven't grown up yet, so I don't know. Ask me in about 20 years. Where is your favorite place to eat? Any place that serves food. Maria has left an amazing legacy! She helped many moms become better moms and for that we will be forever grateful. She made a difference every day - one that will last a lifetime.

Healthy Start Honors Speaker Chris Sprowls Maternal and child health advocates have honored House Speaker Chris Sprowls for the success of Florida’s Healthy Start program and his continued support for children and families. Florida Association of Healthy Start Coalitions Chief Executive Officer Cathy Timuta celebrated Sprowls for his commitment. Last Session, Sprowls took on an effort to extend Medicaid benefits for pregnant women until one year after the birth of their child.

"Every baby should have the opportunity to be born — healthy. And every mother should have the maternal health care she needs to set up herself, her family, and her child to thrive,” Sprowls said. “The Florida House is proud to stand together in support of moms and babies across our state, and we are thankful for the work that groups like Healthy Start have done and will do with our investment to bring vital health care services within the reach of more mothers.” Healthy Start is part of the umbrella and safety net for the maternal and child health system of care in Florida. Championed by then-Gov. Lawton Chiles and First Lady Rhea Chiles, Healthy Start was officially created by the Florida Legislature in 1991 to address the alarming rates of infant mortality and precariously low birth weights in Florida, and to remove systemic barriers to prenatal and early childhood health care. Today, Florida’s 32 Healthy Start Coalitions are successfully implementing systems of prenatal care in every community, as well as providing services for postpartum women, young children up to the age of three, and their families.

Please help us welcome our newest team members!

Connect Jessica Hickman, Connect Representative NewboRN Home Visiting Program Poppy Shell, Family Partner Diana Stetter, Nurse Home Visitor

We are currently seeking applicants for the following positions. Those interested in applying should do so using the link provided in the job description below. Positions are open until filled. Connect Representative NewboRN Home Visiting Program Weekend Family Partner Nurse-Family Partnership Data Entry Clerk

Pat Smith Care Coordinator Marion County Healthy Start

How long have you worked for Healthy Start? 11 Years What do you like most about your job? Meeting families and their children. Giving them a chance to escape the stresses of life and help out if needed. What do you enjoy doing in your free time? Playing with my Shi-tzu, Rocky and Schnauzer, Toby. Visiting Florida springs that I haven't been to before. If you could learn to do anything, what would it be ? I would love to become a master gardener. What is one food you cannot resist? Croissants What is your favorite season? Spring When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? A teacher Where is your favorite place to eat? That's hard to pick "one", but I love Korean food at Haeorum Foods.

Susie Tyson Supervisor Columbia and Hamilton Healthy Start

How long have you worked for Healthy Start? 11 Years What do you like most about your job? Helping children have a healthy and happy life. What do you enjoy doing in your free time? Spending time with family. If you could learn to do anything, what would it be? Knit What is one food you cannot resist? Cake What is your favorite season? Spring When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? Nurse Where is your favorite place to eat? Cheddars

Erin Peterson Community Liaison Healthy Start of North Central Florida

How long have you worked for WellFlorida? 5 Years What do you like most about your job? Interacting with people on a daily basis, with intention of helping others. What do you enjoy doing when you are not working? Taking long walks with my dog, traveling and spending time with friends and family. What is a fun fact about you that most people do not know? I lived in San Francisco for a decade. What are three words that best describe you? Compassionate. Energetic. Sincere. What is the one thing you cannot live without? My family What is one food you cannot resist? Pastries

Christina Wegner Assistant Manager Connect

How long have you worked for WellFlorida? 4 Years What do you like most about your job? All the wonderful people I work with truly make my job a joy. What do you enjoy doing when you are not working? I love to cook, spend time with family or friends, do Pure Barre workouts or binge watch a good TV show. I also love to go on an adventure with our dog Kuma and foster kittens. What is a fun fact about you that most people do not know? I sing up a storm in the car to Broadway musicals! (I'm not saying I'm a good singer, I'm simply saying that I do it haha) What are three words that best describe you? Friendly, dependable, goofy What is the one thing you cannot live without? The love of my family and friends. What is one food you cannot resist? Cheese

NewboRN Home Visiting Program Updates

Despite increasing cases of COVID, the Nurses in the NewboRN Home Visiting Program have been able to continue providing support and education to families in Alachua County. Much of the feedback from our families has been that they are grateful to have our help in their homes, when they are anxious about going to a clinic. Additionally, having us visit during the holidays when it was difficult to see their providers, has been very appreciated.   Since returning to in-person home visiting in late October, the nurses have been instrumental in identifying an unusually large number of moms with maternal hypertension. These moms were unaware that their blood pressures were elevated to concerning levels and many situations resulted in a return visit to their physician or to the hospital.   Feedback from families about our CPR and Infant Safety classes has been very positive and we continue to provide many Pack N Plays to families ensuring a safe sleep environment. The addition of our newest Nurse who has experience taking care of postpartum moms, has given us the benefit of being a well-rounded team with expertise in maternal and newborn care. We are able to collaborate on cases providing the best possible outcomes for our families

Nurse-Family Partnership Program Updates

In October, our Nurse home visitors were excited to begin the transition towards returning to in-person home visits to clients with safety guidelines in place. October - 49% of home visits were in-person November - 51% of home visits were in-person December - 27% of home visits were in-person Overall, 43% of home visits were in-person last quarter

October 2021 - 31 referrals, 10 enrollments, 49 home visits, 4 infants born November 2021 - 24 referrals, 9 enrollments, 63 home visits, 5 infants born December 2021 - 22 referrals, 15 enrollments, 51 home visits, 1 infant born Year-to-Date Total - 131 referrals, 60 families served, 422 home visits, and 22 infants enrolled

Monthly client education: October – Safe Sleep: sleep sacks distributed November – Preterm Birth: developmental toy and books distributed December – Tobacco Cessation/Preterm Birth: developmental toy and activity NFP field staff attended “Let’s Talk About Tobacco” tobacco cessation training by Suwannee River Area Health Education Center. Continued care coordination between our program and the NewboRN Home Visiting program for Alachua county clients. Collaboration with the Connect program to promote continuity of care and minimize service

Community Outreach Focuses by Women’s Intervention Specialist and Nurse Home Visitors: Participation with Marion SEN Task Force Presented to Tri-Co. Children’s Partnership Council Participation in community health events in Alachua Co. Collaboration w/ Beacon Point and Perspectives Hernando Substance Exposed Newborn (SEN) Task Force Citrus SEN Task Force Citrus Co. Health Department

MIECHV - Parents As Teachers Program Updates

MIECHV-Parents as Teachers welcomes July Cintron-Ramos to the team. She is our newest parent educator and supports families in Marion County. July is bilingual and has been in the early childhood education field for 10 years. Being a parent is hard work. MIECHV-PAT provides families with parenting support, offers early detection of developmental delays, and increases children’s school readiness. We are currently accepting referrals in the counties of Alachua, Bradford, Columbia, Hamilton, Marion and Putnam. Virtual home visits and group connections at this time.

THE HEALTHY START TEAM Board Officers President - Roseann Fricks Vice President - Sharon Surrency Treasurer - Cathy Winfrey Secretary - Lauren Mollman Board of Directors Nancy Castillo, Community Coalition Alliance Ann-Marie Fenn, Midwife Roseann Fricks, Early Learning Coalition of Marion County Brooke Frye, Civic Communications Lauren Mollman, Suwannee River Area Health Education Center Cindy Poirier, AdventHealth Ocala Deepthi Satheesa Varma, University of Florida, Department of Epidemiology Chris Schreier, Gainesville Pediatric Associates Sharon Surrency, Partnership for Strong Families Cathy Winfrey, Healthy Families ACUB Cassandra Young, UF Health at Shands, Women's Health Healthy Start Local Programs Coalition Staff

Healthy Start of North Central Florida, Inc. | www.chsandhsncfcoalitions.org