Charlotte County Healthy Start Coalition, Inc.

The Charlotte County Healthy Start Coalition works to improve birth outcomes and optimize child growth and development for prenatal women and infants determined to be at-risk.

Description:
The Charlotte County Healthy Start Coalition is one of 32 statewide coalitions that work with the Florida Department Health and private funding sources to provide education, case management, financial and emotional support and referrals to help mothers reduce infant deaths and premature babies and optimize child growth and development. Through the Healthy Start Program prenatal women and infants found to be at-risk for poor pregnancy, health or developmental outcomes can receive services, free of charge, which include care coordination, childbirth education, psychosocial counseling, in-home parenting education, smoking cessation support, breastfeeding education and support and, in some cases, prenatal care.

History:
Initiated in 1992 by former Florida Governor Lawton Chiles, Healthy Start was a response to statistics which showed Florida having one of the highest rates of infant dealths and premature births in the nation.

The Coaliton is a grassroots organization of current and past participants, healthcare providers, social service providers, teachers, civic groups and concerned citizens. Coalition members give input and help develop community plans and local policies to ensure Charlotte County's babies and moms-to-be receive the care needed for a Healthy Start in life.

Contact people:

Nancy Kraus, Executive Director, (phone), (email) Iris Griffith, Administrative Assistant, (email)

Office fax number: (941) 625-1690

Address:

17940 Toledo Blade Blvd., Unit A Port Charlotte, FL 33948 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.charlottecountyhealthystart.com

Directions:

From U.S. 41 North, left on S.R. 776, left on Toledo Blade Blvd. Office is approx 2/10 mi. on left. From U.S. 41 South, right on S.R. 776, left on Toledo Blade Blvd. Office is approx. 2/10 mi. on left.

Last updated on January 15, 2009