HEALTHY START
The Healthy Start program provides moms, newborns and families with education, support and resources through services in the home, hospital, community settings, one-on-one phone calls or through a video conference. Services are voluntary and provided where most convenient for the family. Services are based on the family’s needs and proven methods to improve birth outcomes, child development, parent-child interaction and maternal life-course.
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Healthy Start is available to all pregnant women and mothers of newborns. After being referred to the program, a professional will ask you a series of questions to determine how Healthy Start can best help you. That may include referrals to community resources, giving you educational materials or enrollment in a program where someone will provide additional services through face-to-face contact.
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How do I enroll?
As soon as you think you may be pregnant, schedule a visit with your obstetrician or health care provider. During this initial visit, ask for the Florida Universal Prenatal Screen. This is a simple one-page questionnaire that is completed by you and your medical provider. The answers to these questions are kept confidential and are used only to provide the best possible care for you and your baby.
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Pregnant women and new moms can also sign up by
calling (813) 307-8016.
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Ask your Health Care Provider about the Florida Universal Prenatal Screen.
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Florida Statute requires that all pregnant women be screened for metabolic disorders, other hereditary and congenital disorders and environmental risk factors.
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The screening is done by health care providers as the patient fills out the Florida Universal Prenatal Screen. Based on her screening score, the patient may be eligible to receive services, such as the Healthy Start Program, to help support her through her pregnancy.
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Learn how your medical information may be used and disclosed by downloading the Notice of Privacy Practices.
