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. Finally, on behalf of the entire Coalition, I would like to say a very heartfelt "thank you" to Myschelle Baker for the past six years she has dedicated to the Healthy Start program as the Provider Liaison for Central Healthy Start. She will be greatly missed and we wish her the best of luck in all of her future endeavors. Best,   Julie Moderie, MPH Program Director UPCOMING MEETINGS CHS Healthy Start Home Visitors Meeting Thurs., January 6th @ 9:00 AM CHS CI&R Home Visiting Advisory Committee Meeting Thurs., January 6th @ 11:00 AM CHS Service Provider Advisory Council Meeting - NEW TIME! Thurs., Feb. 3rd @ 11:00 AM CHS Executive Committee Meeting - NEW TIME! Thurs., Feb. 3rd @ 12:00 PM CHS Board of Directors Meeting Thurs., March 3rd @ 1:00 PM COALITION SCREENING RATES July 2021 - December 2021 Prenatal (Goal = 70%) Citrus County - 60% Hernando County - 37% Lake County - 54% Sumter County - 49% Coalition - 50% State - 51% Infant (Goal = 85%) Citrus Memorial - 100% Bravara Seven Rivers - 96% Bravara Spring Hill - 100% Oak Hill Hospital - 100% Advent Health Waterman - 100% UF Health Leesburg - 100% South Lake Hospital - 70% Community Birth & Wellness Ctr - 100% Coalition - 94% State - 96% *Please note that we believe the screening rates are not accurate and are working with DOH to identify and resolve the issue.

PREGNANCY AND DENTAL HEALTH

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

CHS is on AmazonSmile Don't forget to shop using AmazonSmile! With every purchase made using the following link, Amazon will make a donation to Central Healthy Start at no additional cost to you.  https://smile.amazon.com/ch/59-3118984. 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. Sumter County World's Greatest Baby Shower The 2022 Sumter County World's Greatest Baby Shower event will be held on Friday, February 11th from 12:00 PM until 2:00 PM at the Sumter County Fairgrounds. Hernando County World's Greatest Baby Shower The 2022 Hernando County World's Greatest Baby Shower event will be held on Saturday, March 26th from 10:00 AM until 12:00 PM at the WellCome OM Center located at 4260 Lake in the Woods Drive in Spring Hill, Florida.

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! Moving Crib Displays Congratulations to our most recent Moving Crib Display locations! They are helping prevent infant sleep-related deaths by educating parents and caregivers on the importance of practicing safe sleep for their babies. Stop by and see the Moving Crib Projects on display now! Bayfront Baby Place at Bayfront Health Spring Hill (pictured above) Bayfront Health Seven Rivers (pictured above)

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

Ruth Vryhof Care Coordinator Hernando County Healthy Start

How long have you worked for Healthy Start? 5 Years What do you like most about your job? Helping families What do you enjoy doing in your free time? Spending time with my family, especially my grandchildren! If you could learn to do anything, what would it be? To take away pain, suffering and loneliness in the world! What is one food you cannot resist? Most all of it What is your favorite season? Spring time, new life all around us! When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? A teacher Where is your favorite place to eat? Longhorn, Ale House, Applebee's, and home

Teri Serra, RN Care Coordinator Supervisor Sumter County Healthy Start

How long have you worked for Healthy Start? 4.5 years What do you like most about your job? Helping to improve the lives of the clients we serve. What do you enjoy doing in your free time? Cooking. Playing/Singing music - improving my abilities, art and decorating. If you could learn to do anything, what would it be ? Be the best at everything I do. What is one food you cannot resist? Cheese What is your favorite season? Fall When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up? A labor and delivery nurse - which I am and a musical performer. Where is your favorite place to eat? An authentic Italian or seafood restaurant

Myschelle Baker (Outgoing) Provider Liaison Central Healthy Start How long have you worked for WellFlorida? 6 Years What do you like most about your job? Knowing that every screen completed has the potential to change someone's life. What do you enjoy doing when you are not working? I enjoy being outside. I love listening to the waves at the ocean, feeling the sun on my face, hiking, and kayaking. What is a fun fact about you that most people do not know? I have no fear of diving headfirst into something new. I really enjoy learning and experiencing new things. What are three words that best describe you? Kind. Creative. Approachable. What is the one thing you cannot live without? Salsa. I truly believe salsa should be it's own food group! What is one food you cannot resist? See question above - Salsa

Heather Schwartz (Incoming) Provider Liaison Central Healthy Start How long have you worked for WellFlorida? One week What do you like most about your job? Community and collaboration What do you enjoy doing when you are not working? I enjoy spending time with family and friends. I enjoy mini adventures around our beautiful state. What is a fun fact about you that most people do not know? I love to ride motorcycles. What are three words that best describe you? Caring, loyal, and passionate (about children) What is the one thing you cannot live without? Coffee!!!! What is one food you cannot resist? Thai

Thank you Myschelle for your dedicated service to the Healthy Start program over the last 6+ years. It's been a pleasure working with you and you will truly be missed. Best wishes to you in all of your future endeavors!

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

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

THE HEALTHY START TEAM Board Officers Past President - Lesha Buchbinder President - Dana Selfridge Vice President - Joelle Aboytes Treasurer - Sandra Woodard Secretary - Esmeralda Batiz Board of Directors Joelle Aboytes, Department of Children and Families, Circuit 5 Esmeralda Batiz, Community Health Centers Lesha Buchbinder, Early Learning Coalition of Lake County Dee Dixon, Healthy Families Citrus County Maria Granado, Community Health Worker Program in Lake County Porcha Green, Healthy Families Lake, Sumter and Marion Kristen Hopper, LifeStream Behavioral Health Center Dana Selfridge, Healthy Families Pasco Hernando Sandra Woodard, Early Learning Coalition of the Nature Coast Healthy Start Program Supervisors Coalition Staff

Central Healthy Start, Inc. | www.centralhealthystart.org