Healthy Start Coalitions were started across the state in 1992 to coordinate private/public partnerships at the local level and galvanize all individuals and agencies that provide services for moms and babies.
- Develop and/or enhance a system of care for maternal and infant/child health (MCH) services.
- Develop a five-year needs assessment and service delivery plan addressing MCH needs.
- Conduct quality assurance and quality improvemnet (QA/QI) for all contracted service agencies
- Identify local maternal and child health needs, resources and secure funding for programs or services to meet these needs.
- Provide public education, awareness and a forum for local involvement on MCH issues.
See the Coalition's presentation on Smoking During Pregnancy, one of the targeted areas of the Service Delivery Plan.
Getting to Know Your Indian River County Healthy Start Coalition
The Indian River County Healthy Start Coalition is the administrative office which oversees the funding and services for four programs: MomCare, Healthy Start Care Coordination, TLC Newborn and a Healthy Families - IRC. The Coalition is a not-for-profit agency whose core funding comes from the Florida Department of Health. One of the primary responsibilities of the Coalition is to identify local maternal and child health (MCH) needs and resources and secure funding/programs to meet those needs. It is the Coalition's responsibility to raise awareness within the community about the services available to pregnant moms, babies and their families.
