Healthy Start is here to help all pregnant women and families with young children up to age 3 in Florida. Below are some online resources for families.
- Emergency/Hurricane Planning for Families
It is vital to have a plan for disasters such as hurricanes to avoid added stress on a family, especially during pregnancy. These tips should come in handy in creating a family communications plan so mom, dad and any other family members involved know what to do as a team before, during and after a hurricane or in an evacuation. - Connect to family resources
This is an online resource specifically for pregnant women and families with babies up to the age of 3 years. Services include referrals to local resources and home visiting education and support. - MyFloridaMyFamily
This is an online platform that is providing counties with a comprehensive directory of local resources that will help strengthen families. Search by zip code below to locate resources near you. - 211
Call 211 on your phone and you will be connected to expert, caring help for people of all ages. - Substance Use Help
The MORE Initiative is a program with the purpose of working with providers, hospitals, and other stakeholders to improve identification, clinical care and coordinated treatment/support for pregnant women with opioid use disorder and their infants. - Medicaid Managed Care Health Plans
Most Medicaid clients are required to enroll in a Managed Medical Assistance (MMA) plan for their medical services like doctor visits, hospital care, prescribed drugs, mental health care, and transportation to these services. This website will provide you the Medicaid Managed Care plans available in your geographical area, guidance about selecting an MMA plan and how to make a plan choice.
If a DCF Applicant for Medicaid does not select a plan they will be assigned to one if they are required to be enrolled in an MMA plan to receive Medicaid services. Please make your plan selection today so you can be enrolled in the plan that best meets your needs when you are determined eligible. - National Maternal Health Hotline: 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262) If you or someone you know is a new or expecting parent who is struggling and in need of emotional support or resources, call or text now. The Hotline can be reached 24/7.
We are thrilled to announce the first anniversary of the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline! Since its launch, the Hotline’s professional counselors have provided emotional support, resources, and referrals to pregnant and postpartum individuals who struggle with mental health concerns and their loved ones. We have an updated, toll-free, easy-to-remember number: 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262) . If you or someone you know is a new or expecting parent who is struggling and in need of emotional support or resources, call or text now. The Hotline can be reached 24/7.
We are grateful for the extensive coverage from national media outlets and Vice President Harris’s office that help raise awareness about the Hotline’s important work and reach even more people in need. Read, watch, and share: - Baby Formula Shortage Resources
- What should I do if I can’t find baby formula? American Academy of Pediatrics
- Contact your local Healthy Start Coalition for possible local resources: Coalition map
Monthly Topics
- January: Maternal Substance Use
Babies born with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome stay in the hospital an average of 16 days longer than healthy babies. Healthy Start can help you make healthy choices for you and your baby. Check out our Substance Use Tip Sheet with more information! - February: Prenatal Dental Health / Preterm Birth
Seek regular dental care during pregnancy for your health and the health of your baby. Women with gum disease are 4 to 7 times more likely to deliver a premature baby with low birth weight. - March: Birth Spacing / Women’s Reproductive Health
About 33% of pregnancies begin less than 18 months after a prior birth. Appropriate birth spacing can reduce the risk for poor birth outcomes such as preterm birth and low birthweight. - April: Child Abuse Prevention Month / Coping with Crying
All children deserve great childhoods. Volunteer, donate, mentor!
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Learn more at www.PreventChildAbuse.org. A crying baby can be very frustrating. CLICK HERE for tips on coping with crying. - May: Perinatal Mental Health / PMD
PMD affects 11-17% of women; most often within three weeks to three months after birth. Learn more about postpartum mood disorders: CLICK HERE - June: National Safety Month / Home Safety
Know the risks, then take the steps to plan for safety! Parents can familiarize themselves with safety risks in and around their home by reviewing our Home Safety Checklist. - July: Heat Stroke / Check Back for Baby window clings
Never leave your child alone in a vehicle. Reduce the risk of infant heatstroke by remembering to ACT: Avoid leaving children alone, Create reminders, Take action. CLICK HERE for more facts on infant and child heatstroke. - August: National Breastfeeding Month
August is National Breastfeeding Awareness month. Breastfeeding gives babies a healthy start in life. But it’s not just good for babies—it’s good for moms, too. www.WomensHealth.gov/Breastfeeding - September: Child Passenger Safety
Three out of four car seats are installed incorrectly. Be sure to use the right car seat for the child’s height and weight. Check out our Infant Safety Checklist for additional tips on child passenger safety. - October: Safe Sleep
Remember the ABC’s of safe sleep! Babies are safest sleeping Alone, on their Back, and in a Crib. More ideas to keep babies safe while sleeping can be found on our Safe Sleep Tip Sheet. - November: Preterm Birth / Prematurity Awareness Month
November is Prematurity Awareness Month! Premature babies are born before 37 weeks. There were 1,750 babies born prematurely throughout North Central Florida in 2020. Learn more about prematurity: CLICK HERE! - December: Tobacco Use / Preterm Birth
Quitting smoking while pregnant reduces the risk of preterm birth and increases oxygen to the developing baby. Our Avoiding Tobacco Tip Sheet offers more helpful reasons to quit smoking for mom and baby.