Healthy Start Coalition of Hardee Highlands and Polk Counties

The Coalition is an advocate for improved maternal and child health services for all residents in the tri-county area and was enacted by the state of Florida with the goal to reduce infant mortality, the number of low birth weight babies, and improve health and developmental outcomes for all children. The Coalition works with, and through, many community partners and agencies to ensure a strong maternal and child system of care is present in all Counties and there is a focus on continuous improvement. Local funds enhance and support additional programs to reduce teen pregnancy rates, educate teens on the importance of abstinence and other safe sex practices and encourage them to become role-models for their peers. The Coalition provided services for 8,375 women and infants in the tri-county area this year.