Revisit some highlights from 2013, a year of celebration and change for the Northeast Florida Healthy Start Coalition:
- “20 Years. 20 Stories. Innovation, dedication and caring.” The Coalition celebrated 20 years of service to the community. We launched our 20th anniversary site that features profiles, information on the Coalition’s impact on infant mortality, a timeline and more.
- “Show Your Love this Valentine’s Day.” The Coalition was one of many partners across the country that promoted preconception health as part of the CDC’s Show Your Love campaign.
- “BrdsNBz NE Florida now available.” As part of the 4Me Teen Health Project, the Coalition launched a text message warmline for teens in the region to submit questions about sexual health.
- “Record turnout at 2013 Advocacy Training.” The annual Advocacy Training brought out more than 85 staff and board members from local child-serving agencies.
- “Faces of FIMR: Carol Brady.” Outgoing Executive Director Carol Brady was featured in the National Fetal & Infant Mortality Review’s newsletter for the work the Coalition has done with FIMR and how the project has guided the Coalition to adopt a life course approach and helped lead to the development of the Magnolia Project.
- Emphasizing Responsible Fatherhood: Reaching fathers continued to be a focus of the Coalition in 2013. Fatherhood programs expanded to the Magnolia Project and the Nassau County Jail , continued with the Department of Revenue’s BREACH program and local barbers hosted an educational event for men.
- The Magnolia Project continued to improve the preconception health of women with case management services and a life course approach. The Project produced an innovative contraceptive video, launched Women Englightening Women support groups and hosted health awareness events.
- “Coalition becomes administrator of North Florida Health Corps program.” In August, the Coalition welcomed the NFHC program and two new staff members that administer the AmeriCorps service program focused on health.
- “Rounds at the Grounds 2013.” The 2013 Rounds at the Grounds “The Beginning of an Era” charity softball game hit a home run this year as doctors, nurses and former Jaguars from the “Cinderella Season” shared the field to raise awareness for infant mortality.
- “Coalition welcomes new executive director. ” Jennifer Gornto came aboard October 1 as the new executive director of the Coalition.