IMPLICIT: Interconception Care Model for Vulnerable Populations in Sarasota County

What is IMPLICIT?

The IMPLICIT Interconception Care Model works to reduce prematurity birth rates in Sarasota County by improving the health of women between pregnancies.

What is involved?

A brief screen is offered to all mothers with children two years of age and under who are attending their child’s well-child visit.

The screen asks questions about four key health factors:

  • Smoking
  • Depression
  • Folic Acid
  • Family Planning

What happens next?

Once their needs are determined, women are provided education and offered resources and materials to help. If further support is needed, the women are offered referrals to additional support such as counseling, free or low cost birth control, smoking cessation services, and help getting multivitamins.

Where is it currently available?

The IMPLICIT Project has currently been fully implemented within the Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County’s Child Health Clinic located at 2200 Ringling Boulevard with the goal of expanding to additional clinics in 2019.

IMPLICIT Team members during the Poster Presentation Session at the March of Dimes - Florida Chapter's 2018 Prematurity Summit. 

Pictured are Jamee Thumm (Project Manager) and Chelsea Arnold (IMPLICIT Coordinator from the Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County).
Project Manager, Jamee Thumm, and IMPLICIT Coordinator, Chelsea Arnold, presenting IMPLICIT at the March of Dimes 2018 Prematurity Summit. Click the image for a closer view of the poster.

What are the results?

In the first few months of the project, 494 unique women were screened, many multiple times. Among those screened, 173 positive lifestyle changes were observed during follow-up visits.

These positive lifestyle changes included:

  • 69 women began using birth control
  • 36 had lower depression scores (PHQ-2)
  • 11 women verbally confirmed participating in counseling
  • 44 women began taking vitamins with folic acid
  • 13 women quit smoking

As the project continues we anticipate seeing an even greater impact in our community. To view additional details about this project outcomes click here.

Who are our partners?

Funding and support for the IMPLICIT Project has been provided by the March of Dimes. The Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County and the Healthy Start Coalition’s Community Action and Education Committee were instumental in the planning and implimentation of this project.

How do I learn more?

For more information on this project, contact Jamee Thumm at [email protected]. For information on how to impliment this in your community visit the March of Dimes.