HSC, Capital Area Healthy Start Coalition

AKA:

CAHSC, MomCare, Healthy Start

Description:

*Healthy Start Coalitions (HSC's) offer CONNECT (aka Coordinated Intake and Referral) which is a one-stop entry point for needed or desired services for all pregnant women and families with infants/toddlers up to age 3
*Pregnant women and families may either be referred by another agency or may self-refer; participation in services is entirely voluntary and not based on income, citizenship or Medicaid acceptance
*Available services vary by county, but all offer prenatal and infant/toddler support services often on a home visit basis; including: breastfeeding and childbirth education, nutrition counseling, tobacco cessation services, support groups, mental health counseling, parenting support and education, infant/toddler developmental education and screenings, information or assistance with applying for pregnancy Medicaid (SOBRA); In some counties, assistance may be available for low-income women who cannot get Medicaid to find low-cost prenatal care
*One of the goals of Healthy Start Coalitions is to connect women experiencing perinatal depression (which includes anxiety and other mood disorders) to mental health services; Women participating in any of the programs are offered a brief screening questionnaire (the Edinburgh Depression Scale) during their pregnancy and during the postpartum period
*COAST Through Pregnancy supports women at risk for experiencing poor birth outcomes or postpartum complications due to high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, or mental health concerns; provides items including but not limited to blood pressure monitors, glucometers, and scales
*Fatherhood coaches available to assist current and new fathers; T.E.A.M. Dad fatherhood program helps with parenting and co-parenting education, improving child, personal and workforce development, and building healthy relationships
*Parents as Teachers matches parents and caregivers with parent educators who schedule regular visits and share information about child development, activities for children, strategies to strengthen the parent-child relationship, and offer support on parenting topics including health and safety, nutrition, sleep, guidance, discipline, and attachment
*Sister Friends connects pregnant African American women to female community volunteers who provide culturally sensitive social support during pregnancy and postpartum
*Community Doula Program provides doulas to support women through emotional and physical support during pregnancy and childbirth
*Leon County: Maintains breastmilk donation site; call ahead for appointment

Intake Process:

Call

Program Fees:

None

Languages:

English

Eligibility:

Pregnant women, fathers and families with children under age 3

Is Shelter?

No

Related Resource

Date of Official Change:

June 20, 2024

Address Listings

Contacts

Phone Numbers