Healthy Start Home Visiting Services are based on risk factors, not income and are available to pregnant women and mothers or care givers with children under the age of three. A Healthy Start Screening, which is a simple set of questions, determines if a woman and/or her baby could benefit from Home Visiting Services.

How can Healthy Start make a difference?

Good nutrition, healthy habits, and a positive state of mind for the expecting mother are important for positive pregnancy outcomes and to have a healthy baby. Healthy Start can help you learn how to achieve a healthy, baby-friendly lifestyle. A Healthy Start Care Coordinator is like your personal pregnancy consultant and can help you arrange a variety of services including:

  • Assistance in finding a doctor
  • Childbirth education
  • Nutrition education
  • Breastfeeding education and support
  • Help to quit smoking
  • Baby care instructions
  • Parenting assistance
  • Family planning
  • Emotional support
  • Connections to other community resources
  • Car seat safety classes
  • And more!

Things you can do to help your baby have a Healthy Start:

  • Eat well balanced meals
  • Get early prenatal care
  • Take prenatal vitamins
  • Stop smoking
  • Avoid alcohol and drugs
  • Engage in low impact exercise
  • Visit your dentist
  • Plan 18 months between pregnancies
  • Cut back on caffeine.

Healthy Babies:

  • Required fewer doctor visits
  • Have fewer developmental problems and learning delays
  • Do better in school
  • Have overall better sleep and health

Healthy Start Service Providers

Okaloosa County Services Provided by

Nancy Dejesus

Healthy Start Supervisor

Amy Miller

Program Supervisor

Walton County Services Provided by

Peggy Gill

Program Supervisor and Care Coordinator

Rosalia Nevins

Family Support Worker

Jessica Craig

Care Coordinator

Kristy Armstrong

Care Coordinator

How to Obtain Healthy Start Services:

To obtain Healthy Start Services, be sure to say YES when offered a Florida Universal Prenatal Screen or Infant Questionnaire:

  • At your Prenatal Appointment in your OB/GYN Office
  • At Labor and Delivery when your baby is born

To learn more about the Florida Universal Prenatal and Infant Screen, click here.

Or you can call your Local Connect Representative at 850-833-9284. Click here for more information on the Connect Program.