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

    Autumn McAllister

    Program Supervisor and Care Coordinator

    Nancy Dejesus

    Maternal Intake Specialist

    Lorraine Colon-Santiago

    Care Coordinator

    Elsia Goss

    Care Coordinator

    Sonia Scott

    Care Coordinator

    Megan Tafolla

    Care Coordinator

    Michaela Mitchell

    Care Coordinator

    Bertha Fernandez

    Care Coordinator

    Walton County Services Provided by

    Peggy Gill

    Program Supervisor and Care Coordinator

    Rosalia Nevins

    Family Support Worker

    Jessica Craig

    Care Coordinator

    How to Obtain Healthy Start Services:

    To obtain Healthy Start Services, be sure to say YES when offered a Prenatal Health Risk 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 Prenatal and Infant Risk Screen, click here.

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