Happy July, Healthy Starters, and welcome to the latest edition of our monthly newsletter! 

Our MOM Mobile has finally arrived in Martin County after years of planning and hard work! Check out our latest update and ribbon-cutting video below. 

We extend our heartfelt thanks to The United Way of Martin County for including us in their Grand Reveal awards ceremony and supporting our Client Services and Fatherhood Program. 

 Our team has been active in the community this month with a feature on the Children's Services Council of Martin County's new podcast, and attending training to combat the opioid crisis in Martin County. 

Also, we’re excited to announce our 2024-2025 Board of Directors, with a special recognition for an eight-year member. Keep reading for more details! 

Lastly, don't forget to register for this month's "Strong Like a Mother" mom group, featuring special raffles, and check our diaper pantry schedule to ensure you don’t miss this month’s pick-up. 

Here’s to a healthier start and a brighter future for Martin County! 

Sincerely, 

Sam Suffich and your friends at Martin County Healthy Start  

MOM Mobile Brings Prenatal Care to Martin County Neighborhoods

The MOM Mobile is on the move, bringing prenatal care to expectant women in neighborhoods throughout Martin County.

The Martin County Healthy Start Coalition held a ribbon cutting for its newest service, the MOM Mobile: Maternity on the Move, on June 20 and celebrated the beginning of a program that will change the landscape of maternity care in Martin County.

“Way back in 2019, this was our ‘pie in the sky’ idea – to bring prenatal care to pregnant women who couldn’t get to a doctor’s office or a clinic because of transportation problems,” said Martin County Healthy Start Coalition CEO Samantha Suffich. “It’s been a long, hard road, but thanks to our supportive partners and the compelling mission to connect women with prenatal care early in their pregnancy, we’re here and ready to roll.”

The MOM Mobile is a 38-foot van equipped like a prenatal care office, with an exam table, lab facilities, radiology equipment, and an educational area. Midwives will staff the van, offering prenatal care in Martin County in Golden Gate, East Stuart, Indiantown and Hobe Sound. Expectant women will get the same high level of care that they would get in the typical medical setting and have an opportunity to meet doulas who can help them through their pregnancy and birth. The staff is bilingual and representative of the clients who will be served.

“This is going to make a tremendous difference in the health of women who haven’t been able to access prenatal care and ultimately to the health of their babies,” said Dr. Ashley Calderone, President of the Martin County Healthy Start Coalition Board of Directors. “We know stories of women who have had to take as many as three buses in this county with limited public transportation to get to an office appointment. That’s a huge strain, and sometimes women just give up on getting prenatal care. Our MOM Mobile changes everything for them!”

The mobile unit was purchased and outfitted with grants from Martin County, which allocated a portion of the American Rescue Plan Act funds awarded to the County as part of the federal government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, plus a $100,000 Impact Grant from Impact100 Martin. Cleveland Clinic Martin Health, 100 Women Who Care of the Treasure Coast, and the Martin County Department of Health all contributed assistance and equipment. The program will be sustained thanks to funding from the Children’s Services Council of Martin County, the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties, and the Hobe Sound Community Chest.

For more information about the MOM Mobile, its neighborhood schedule, and the many other services of the Martin County Healthy Start Coalition, visit www.mchealthystart.org/momobile.

On June 24th, Healthy Start attended and was graciously awarded $41,000 at the United Way of Martin County's Big Reveal! $36,000 will go towards client services, and $5,000 will go towards The David Cardno Fatherhood Initiative!

We are so grateful to have been part of the almost $2 million that were distributed at this year's event, and we are looking forward to the opportunity to continue providing services to our families. United Way’s investment enables us to continue vital work and strengthen our community. Thank you to the United Way of Martin County for continuing to join us in our mission: ensuring every baby is born healthy, every mother is supported, and every father is involved.

The David Cardno Fatherhood Initiative's Program Manager Drew Gray sat down with Children's Services Council's Manager of Community Engagement, Cheree Ramirez, on Children's Services Council of Martin County’s podcast, Community Unity Series. Drew discussed how the Initiative is impacting the children of Martin County while helping dads and father-figures be better role models for their children. 

Thank you, Cheree, for taking the time to highlight our most important works and for ensuring that dads are seen and involved!

Click here to watch and listen.

The Healthy Start program in Martin County remains dedicated to supporting families through a range of crucial services delivered face-to-face across various settings. Known for its commitment to triaging clients in need and connecting them with essential community resources, Healthy Start continues to play a pivotal role in the local community. Recently, the program's Home Visiting staff achieved a significant milestone by completing specialized training to combat the opioid epidemic. This certification equips them to provide vital guidance and support to clients struggling with substance use disorder, helping them on their path to recovery. 

Our team is better prepared to assist individuals facing substance use disorder challenges. We are dedicated to fostering an environment where every baby has the best chance to be born healthy. If interested in Healthy Start services, please click here.

Randy Pennington, President

Jessica Tharp, Vice President

Thomas Schinske, Treasurer

John Carrigan, Secretary

Dr. Ashley Calderone, Immediate Past President

Rosi Shepard

Joanna Greene

To learn more about the 2024-2025 Board of Directors, please click here

As we introduce our 2024-2025 Board of Directors, we wish to honor Steve Swindler. Steve has dedicated eight years to Healthy Start's Board, including a term as President from 2022 to 2023, and has been an integral member of the fiscal committee throughout this period. As Steve concludes his tenure this year, we extend our heartfelt appreciation for his unwavering dedication to Healthy Start. The families and babies of Martin County deeply appreciate your service! 

Join us Saturday, July 27th at 11AM for the mom AND partners group! There will be raffle items, including a Walmart Gift Card!

Please be sure to register here so we can save you a seat and a snack!