At the Healthy Start Coalition of Sarasota County, we’re more than just a health organization. We’re a community dedicated to nurturing the health and well-being of pregnant women, infants, and young children. Our diverse range of programs and initiatives are designed to support you at every step of your journey.
Our Programs
Empowering healthy beginnings
Welcome to the Healthy Start Program of the Healthy Start Coalition of Sarasota County. Our mission is to support your health and well-being throughout your pregnancy and as a new mom, because we believe every mother and child deserves a healthy start.
We’re more than just a health organization. We’re a community dedicated to nurturing the health and well-being of pregnant women, infants, and young children. Our diverse range of programs and initiatives are designed to support you at every step of your journey.
Healthy Start
Your journey to motherhood, supported every step of the way
Here For You
We understand that pregnancy and the early stages of motherhood can bring joy, but also challenges and uncertainties. Whether it’s your first time or you’ve been through it before, we’re here to help you navigate this journey with confidence.
Our Services
The Healthy Start program is designed to provide you with valuable assistance throughout your pregnancy and beyond. Our team of compassionate professionals will offer guidance and resources tailored to your unique needs.
Services
- Personalized support during and after pregnancy
- Education on childbirth and newborn care
- Parenting advice and strategies to strengthen parent-child interactions
- Breastfeeding education and support, including in-home lactation consultants
- Kangaroo Care to promote bonding with your baby
- Assistance with postpartum depression and anxiety
Reach Out
You don’t have to walk this path alone. Reach out to us and let us be a part of your journey towards a healthy and happy motherhood.
T.E.A.M. Dad
A program for dads in Sarasota County who parent children aged 0-3
We Are Here to Support Dads
Dads enrolled in our T.E.A.M. Dad program will work with a dedicated T.E.A.M. Dad Coach, who is an experienced father who has received training on the 24/7 Dad® curriculum.
T.E.A.M. Dad Services
Our Dad Coach meets with dads one-on-one for 12 sessions. Each session is held at a time and place that is convenient for the participant. Topics include a father’s role, discipline, health, children’s growth, communication, working with mom, co-parenting and more.
Services
- Increase awareness an
d knowledge about the elements to being a good father - Increase capacity or skills to carry out what is learned
- Increase pro-
fathering habits - Increase self-worth as a man and father
Get Connected
To learn more about the T.E.A.M. Dad program or to enroll, please contact Curtis Hayes at 941-373-7070 ext. 305 or email him at chayes@hscsarasota.org. You can also click the link below to fill out the form, and someone will be in touch with you.
Doula Program
Compassionate Support Before, During & After Birth
Here for You
Our Doula Program provides families with continuous emotional, physical, and evidence‑based support throughout pregnancy, labor, and the postpartum period. Doulas are trained, non‑medical professionals who help you feel informed, confident, and empowered as you prepare to welcome your baby.
Our Services
Doulas offer personalized guidance tailored to your needs, helping you understand your options, prepare for childbirth, and navigate each stage with clarity and reassurance. Their presence ensures you never face the journey alone.
Benefits of Having a Doula
- Increased vaginal birth rates
- Reduced use of pain medications during labor
- Shorter labor times
- Higher breastfeeding success
- Lower stress and anxiety for pregnant individuals
Doula Support Includes
- Preparing you mentally and emotionally for childbirth
- Information about your birth options and explanations of medical procedures
- Physical support during labor, including posture, movement, relaxation, and breathing techniques
- Advocacy to support your right to make informed decisions about your body and your baby
- Helping you feel pride, confidence, and empowerment after birth
Get Connected
If you’re interested in doula support or want to learn more about how our program can support your birth experience, we’re here to help. Call Yanira Castro at (941) 373‑7070 ext. 310 or or email her at ycastro@hscsarasota.org. You can also click the link below to fill out the form, and someone will be in touch with you.
Por Ti y Para Tu Bebe
An Education and Support Program Designed Specifically for Hispanic and Latino Women/New Moms Delivered in Spanish
Proactive Care
A recent survey conducted by Healthy Start revealed a community that was ill-prepared for pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting due to a language barrier, cultural gaps, and transportation problems. With support from Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation, we set out to do something about it!
Our Services
“Por ti y para tu bebe” is a culturally-sensitive educational support program offering one-on-one or small group classes in Spanish on childbirth education, breastfeeding, kangaroo care, safe sleep practices, parenting, and interconception health.
Our Impact
All course materials are in Spanish and participants can benefit from attendance and completion incentives funded by additional grants from Junior League of Sarasota, Florida Winefest & Auction, and StateFarm Insurance.
Get Involved
Classes are currently offered at CenterPlace Health, Sarasota Medical Pregnancy Center and Mothers Helping Mothers by culturally and linguistically competent instructors.
If you are interested in learning more about this program or donating, please contact our office at 941-373-7070.
Connect
Connecting Families to Community Resources and Support
Here to Assist You
CONNECT helps pregnant women, caregivers and families with young children by providing a one-stop entry point for needed services, such as education and support in childbirth, newborn care, parenting, child development, food and nutrition, mental health and financial self-sufficiency.
Our Services
Pregnancy is an exciting time, but it can also bring about many questions and concerns, especially regarding healthcare access. One call to Connect from self-referring individuals, referring agencies and healthcare providers can connect pregnant women and families to local programs that help ensure a healthy start in life and a hopeful future.
Reach Out
If you are pregnant or simply curious about the local resources and programs available in your community, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to support you on your journey to motherhood. For more information, call us today at (941) 373-7070, extension 303, or click the link below to fill out the form, and someone will be in touch with you.
Save My Life
Empowering Women of Color with Culturally Relevant Support & Education
Here For You
Save My Life Program is a unique initiative of the Healthy Start Coalition of Sarasota County. We are committed to reducing racial disparities in birth outcomes and providing culturally sensitive support to women of color in Sarasota.
Our Services
We acknowledge and celebrate the diversity of our community. In an effort to address health disparities and provide an inclusive environment, our Save My Life program offers culturally sensitive education and support specifically for women of color.
Services
- Childbirth Education
- Breastfeeding Education and Support
- Kangaroo Care
- Parenting Education
- Safe Sleep Education
- Interconception Health
Reach Out
Embark on a journey toward improved health and well-being with the Save My Life Program. We are here to stand with you, offering education, support, and a sense of community. For more information, please contact our office at (941) 373-7070 or click the link below to fill out the form, and someone will be in touch with you.
Fetal & Infant Mortality Review (FIMR)
Monitoring and Improving Maternal and Infant Health Outcomes
Driving Public Health Progress
The Fetal & Infant Mortality Review (FIMR) Program is an essential initiative of the Healthy Start Coalition of Sarasota County. Since 1992, we have been actively involved in conducting FIMR to improve maternal and infant health outcomes in our community.
Our Services
The FIMR process is based on a model developed by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. This model allows us to monitor and analyze fetal and infant mortality trends and causes, fostering a better understanding of how we can improve health outcomes for women and babies.
Our Impact
The FIMR Program is more than just a statistical review. It is a commitment to our community’s mothers and infants, a commitment to constantly strive for better health outcomes. Our work helps to inform and shape public health policy, providing valuable insights that drive impactful changes in our healthcare systems.
Get Involved
The FIMR Program is a community endeavor, and we invite you to get involved. Whether you are a healthcare provider, policy-maker, or a concerned member of our community, your contribution can make a difference. For more information, contact Alecia Williams at alecia@healthystartsarasota.org.
