Indian River County's Healthy Start Coalition marks 30 years of services for new mothers, families
INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — When Annabel Robertson gave birth to her daughter Sophie nearly 30 years ago, she really didn’t know what to expect.
But thanks to a program just starting out then in Indian River County called the Healthy Start Coalition, Robertson was able to get the advice she needed as she navigated the new waters of motherhood.
“For a new mother with her first child, Healthy Start was such a blessing,” said Robertson. “I was one of the first moms in the TLC program and I don’t think I would have been able to manage without their help.”
Florida’s Healthy Start program is marking its 30th anniversary year
Florida’s Healthy Start program is marking its 30th anniversary year, a milestone that has made a difference in the lives of babies and their families across the state.
Legislation forming Healthy Start was signed by the Florida Legislature on June 4, 1991, and residents from various counties starting setting up the program in their areas.
Locally, it was Florence Sudbrock, Virginia Randall, Lois Looby, Herberry Hooven and Jean Kline who saw the need and created the Indian River County Healthy Start Coalition in 1992. Their mission was to lower the infant mortality rate by making home visits along with representatives from the county’s Health Department, a program that began in 1993.
According to Andrea Berry, Indian River County Healthy Start Coalition’s chief executive officer for the last five years, the program is now helping its second generation of families in the county. It has expanded its services to include parenting education classes, a community Doula program, nutritional support for moms and babies including lactation consulting and offering classes for new dads.
“Over these past 30 years, so many people have worked hard to make sure new moms have everything they need to be successful at motherhood,” said Berry. “No matter what, every new mom could use a little bit of help and that’s where Healthy Start is able to provide support. We are so lucky that we live in a supportive community that is able and willing to provide the philanthropic support that we need.”
Katie Nall served as the executive director for Healthy Start from 1995 to 2001, and said fundraising for the organization was one of her biggest challenges.
“I guess you could say it was a fledgling organization at that time,” said Nall. “We were trying to figure out how to raise awareness of the Healthy Start Coalition and raise funds at the same time. But we had so much support from the community that we just kept pushing ahead.”
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Contracting with the Indian River Medical Center in 2013 and Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital in 2019, has insured that Healthy Start is able to provide services throughout pregnancy and after a woman gives birth.
“When we contracted with Indian River Medical Center to be on-site, that made a huge difference for us,” said Berry. “We are an integral part of a mom’s care before, during and after giving birth.”
Since beginning 30 years ago, Florida’s infant mortality rate has dropped by 30%, a reduction Berry credits to the Healthy Start program.
“In Indian River County, we have created one of the most robust systems of care for pregnancy, newborns and new families that exist anywhere in the state or the country,” said Berry. “I’d like to thank this community for the caring and compassionate individuals who have the foresight to build Healthy Start in this county.”
Healthy Start
Each year, Indian River County Healthy Start touches 95% of the 1,200 babies who are born in the county.
For more information, to volunteer or donate, call 772- 563-9118 or visit www.irchealthystartcoalition.org.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Indian River County's Healthy Start Coalition marks 30 years of services for babies
