HEALTHY START COALITION OF HARDEE HIGHLANDS AND POLK COUNTIES INC

Programs

1. The coalition is an advocate for improved maternal and child health services for all residents in the tri-county area and was enacted by the state of florida with the goal to reduce infant mortality, low birth weight babies, and improve health and developmental outcomes for all children. The coalition works with, and through, many community partners and agencies to ensure a strong maternal and child system of care is present in all counties and there is a focus on continuous improvement. Local funds enhance and support additional programs to reduce teen pregnancy rates, educate teens on the importance of abstinence and other safe sex practices and encourage them to become role-models for their peers. The coalition provided services for 9,556 clients in the tri-county area in fy2025.

   $1,387,233 spent
   40% of program spending

2. Healthy start home visiting services program: a free home visiting program that provides education and care coordination to pregnant women and families of children under the age of three. The goal is to lower risk factors associated with preterm birth, low birth weight, infant mortality, and poor developmental outcomes. The program aims to improve overall health, prepare children for success in school, enhance families' economic well-being, and connect families to other community resources.

   $1,270,136 spentof which $1,270,136 as grants
   36% of program spending

3. Federal maternal, infant and early childhood home visiting (miechv) program: to improve health and developmental outcomes for at-risk children through evidence-based home visiting programs. The project works with families residing in highlands county to equip parents and other caregivers with the knowledge, skills and tools they need to assist their children in being healthy, safe and ready to succeed in school.

   $328,374 spent
   9% of program spending

4. Fatherhood - team dad project: in america nearly 18.5 million children grow up without their fathers. This project offers education, training and support to help men become the responsible, engaged, and empowered fathers their children need them to be. It follows the "24:7 dad national fatherhood initiative" parent education program curriculum. Our "team dad" coach works with fathers one-on-one to complete the course work and provide any other additional tools necessary to be a great dad.

   $273,213 spent
   8% of program spending

5. Teen pregnancy prevention alliance (tppa) program: the tppa program was established in 1994 as an action group of the healthy start coalition of hardee, highlands & polk counties. Our mission is to identify and reduce the risk of pregnancy in polk county through the collaboration of agencies and the empowerment of our youth and community. Local funds enhance and support the tppa program to reduce teen pregnancy rates, educate teens on the importance of abstinence and other safe sex practices, and encourage them to become role models for their peers. Annually, the tppa hosts the festival of faith and teen summit. The festival of faith event provides faith leaders an opportunity to meet with other faith leaders and to receive the information and education necessary to speak with their congregation about teen pregnancy prevention. Our 2025 teen summit event was held in bartow. The teen summit included workshops, games, education, resources, and wellness checks for participants. During the fiscal year, bi-monthly "let's talk" virtual workshops were also held where teens and parents participate. They follow along with the national campaign that encourages open communication and healthy…

   $111,864 spent
   3% of program spending

6. Fetal infant mortality review (fimr) program: fimr is a comprehensive, multidisciplinary, and multisystem review of the events that occurred before, during, and after a pregnancy which led to a fetal death or the death of an infant. Fimr describes and defines the community's health, builds knowledge of the healthy start service delivery plan, improves communication, identifies gaps in services, and implements creative solutions to identified needs. The florida fetal infant mortality review projects are organized under florida statutes 766.101. The subcommittees within the fimr project are the case review team and community action group. These committees could use your valuable expertise and experience. The fimr case review team is a team of expert members from the health care sector and other systems of care in the community who review a summary of the case information to identify issues within the systems of care and make recommendations for community and systems change to improve the service to mothers, babies, and families. The fimr community action group is a diverse group of community leaders who review recommendations, assess their importance, and design, develop, and…

   $79,011 spent
   2% of program spending

7. The healthy start doula program: the healthy start doula program using the grow doula model provides comprehensive support to expecting and new mothers, with a focus on enhancing maternal and infant health outcomes. Our program offers access to trained doulas who guide and support families through pregnancy, labor, birth, and postpartum. Doulas provide emotional, physical, and informational support, fostering a calm and informed birthing experience. Research shows that having a doula can lead to shorter labor times, reduced rates of medical interventions, and higher satisfaction with the birth experience. Our program offers this vital service, helping to reduce stress and anxiety, improve birth outcomes, and promote healthy bonding between parents and newborns. Through this program, we aim to empower families and contribute to healthier communities.

   $36,202 spent
   1% of program spending

8. Beds 4 babies program: due to the high number of accidental infant suffocation deaths, the healthy start coalition of hardee, highlands & polk counties initiated our beds 4 babies project. Our b4b project focuses on public awareness, distribution of portable cribs, and "safe sleep" education. Our b4b project provides residents of hardee, highlands, and polk counties who cannot afford a safe place for their babies to sleep with a portable crib, two crib sheets, a halo sleep sack swaddle, a children's board book titled "sleep baby, safe and snug, and safe sleep education. Since the beginning of our project in 2006, hschhp has educated and delivered approximately 6,800 cribs.

   $5,319 spent
   0% of program spending

The 8 programs described on its FY2024 Form 990, listed largest first by expense. Program spending in total: $3,491,352.