Healthy Start

​Since 1991, Healthy Start has been improving the health of mothers and babies in our community. Expert health education and support services promote healthy pregnancies, birth outcomes, and infant growth and development. These services are provided by health professionals at no cost to families.
Fun Fact:
Florida Statute requires every prenatal provider and birthing facility in  Florida to complete a Florida Prenatal and Infant Screen for their pregnant patients and newborns. 
​Healthy Start begins at a pregnant woman’s first prenatal appointment. At this time you should be given a Florida Prenatal Screen to determine if there are risk-factors present that could impact the health of your pregnancy. Your baby will get screened at the time of birth too, and this will determine if there are risk-factors present that could impact your baby’s health and developmental outcomes. If you don’t receive a screen, ask for one! If a referral is made on either of the screens, you can receive Healthy Start home-visiting services at no cost to you.
Get Connected to Services by:
  • ​Completing a Florida Prenatal Screen at your doctor’s office - (Identifies risk-factors that can contribute to a preterm birth or low birth weight baby).
  • Completing a Florida Infant Screen at the birthing facility - (Identifies risk-factors that can contribute to poor growth & development).
  • Calling to make a self-referral.

​Healthy Start​ Services

​Healthy Start offers home-visiting, care coordination and education and support to pregnant women and parents with a child three years or younger, all at no cost! Services are designed to support pregnant women in having a health pregnancy outcome and support parents with the health and development of their baby.
Education & Support Available at no Cost to Pregnant Women and New Parents Includes:
​Prenatal & Childbirth
Learn:
  • What to expect during each stage of pregnancy, including during labor & delivery
  • How to manage pregnancy discomforts
  • How to recognize signs of preterm labor
  • About nutrition, including healthy foods to eat & ones to avoid
  • How to manage stress ​
​Parenting & Education
Learn:
  • Tips on how to parent positively
  • About baby cues & how to respond to meet their needs
  • Current guidelines for safe sleep, car seat, & other infant safety recommendations
  • About daily infant care routines
  • How to choose ​
Women’s Health
Learn:
  • About getting healthy between pregnancies, including managing high blood pressure, diabetes, and other illnesses
  • How to plan for becoming - or not becoming - pregnant in the future
  • How to manage feeling stressed, anxious or experiencing the “baby blues”.​
Infant’s Health
Learn:
  • How you will complete assessments to find out if your baby is developing on track, and what activities promote his/her communication, gross motor, fine motor, problem solving, and personal-social skills
  • About infant nutrition recommendations and receive breastfeeding support.​

​NOT WITHIN OSCEOLA COUNTY? ​CLICK HERE to find a ​Healthy Start Coalition Near You

​Healthy Start Program Participation Info

Thank you for enrolling in Healthy Start! We are excited to be working with you and your family. Our goal is to ensure your baby gets the best possible start in life and that you have the support and services you need.

Learn information on the program – highlighting our respective roles and responsibilities – to contribute to our success: www.healthystartflorida.com/program-participant-information.

Review our Notice of Privacy Practices.

Oral translation services and receipt of information in alternate formats or languages are available at no cost.

Are you receiving or have you received services from Healthy Start? We’d love to hear from you! Share your feedback with us: Healthy Start Satisfaction Survey.

If you are dissatisfied with your care and would like to submit a complaint or grievance we’d like to receive that too as we strive to improve and maintain a quality system of care. Complaints and Grievances Form