The 2013 CityMatCH Conference, themed ”Nothing But the Best: Quality and Innovation in Urban MCH,” featured two local projects among the myriad of presentations at the annual urban maternal and child health leadership event.

BrdsNBz NE Florida, a free text message line for teens in the region, was featured among other programs that empower youth through technology. BrdsNBz NE Florida provides confidential, factually accurate answers to teen and sexual health questions via text message for teens 12-18 years old. See the presentation here: The BrdsNBz for the Digital Age.

The 39 Weeks initiative, a project of the Florida Association of Healthy Start Coalitions that is coordinated by the Coalition, was also featured. The results of focus groups conducted with expecting and new fathers and Hispanic women were presented by the project evaluator, Wendy Struchen-Shellhorn during the session “Listening to the Unheard Voices of MCH.” See the presentation here: Early Elective Delivery: Probing the Perspectives of Men and Hispanics of Childbearing Age in Florida.