Healthy Start Coalition of Hardee, Highlands & Polk Counties, Inc.
The Healthy Start Coalition of Hardee, Highlands & Polk Counties, Inc.
(HSCHHP) is a community-based non-profit organization with the mission to promote and support healthy pregnancies, babies, and families in Hardee, Highlands & Polk Counties.
09/19/2025
Our Fatherhood Coordinator, Ray Clay, sat down with one of our TEAM Dad participants to talk about the positive changes he’s experienced and what it means to grow into being a better father.
The TEAM Dad Program, funded by Florida Department of Health (DOH), uses the 24/7 Dad® Curriculum to provide group sessions and one-on-one mentoring in English and Spanish. Based in Polk County, we welcome biological dads, stepdads, foster fathers, guardians, and other father figures like uncles and grandfathers.
Watch now to see how TEAM Dad is making a difference!
09/18/2025
Our Associate Director Tonya Akwetey, Doula Program Coordinator Amy Beascoechea, and Finance Manager Wanda Dutcher, had the honor of attending the City of Bartow, a Florida Municipality Community Relations Committee’s Diversity Luncheon.
It was inspiring to be in a room filled with such a diverse audience, all coming together to celebrate the strength that comes from unity.
Guest Speaker Fentrice Driskell, Florida State Representative, shared a powerful message about embracing diversity and working towards unity not against it and everyone deserves a shot at the American Dream. Her words were a reminder that when we come together with respect and understanding, we create stronger communities for everyone.
The luncheon also included the issuance of a proclamation recognizing September 2025 as Race Equity Awareness Month, which was proudly accepted by Community Relations Committee Co-Chairperson Gloria Washington.
09/17/2025
Hey 👋
We are excited to share our September Monthly Newsletter, highlighting the impactful initiatives and updates from The Healthy Start Coalition. Staying informed about maternal and child health is crucial for our community's well-being. We encourage everyone—families and professionals alike—to subscribe and be part of our journey towards healthier outcomes. Click the link in our newsletter to stay connected!
Email from Healthy Start Coalition of Hardee, Highlands, and Polk Counties, Inc. What's Happening with Healthy Start September is Infant Mortality Month and Newborn Screening Awareness Month, leadin
09/01/2025
📢 Office Closed for Labor Day
In honor of Labor Day, our office will be closed on Monday, September 1st. We’ll reopen with normal business hours on Tuesday, September 2nd.
This holiday is a time to celebrate the dedication and hard work of employees everywhere—including our amazing team who go above and beyond every day. 💙 Wishing everyone a safe, restful holiday! ✨
08/29/2025
🌟 Community in Action
Our Associate Director, Tonya Akwetey, and Data Analyst, Christine Tufts, had the opportunity to attend the Polk Vision Annual Meeting on August 28th. This event brought together leaders and partners from across Polk County who are working to build a healthier, stronger community. We’re proud to be part of the collective vision for a brighter future! ✨
08/29/2025
🤝 Building Connections for Healthy Start!
This week, our Executive Director, Charlene Edwards, and Associate Director, Tonya Akwetey, had the pleasure of meeting with Representative Jon Albert. We’re grateful for the opportunity to share about the work we do in our community and to explore ways we can continue supporting families together. 💙👶✨
08/28/2025
Deadline for application is September 1, 2025!
If you are passionate maternal health and about supporting our community moms with pregnancy and labor and delivery and postpartum care then this is for you!
Hey !
🌸 Become a Healthy Start GROW Doula! 🌸
Do you have a passion for supporting moms, babies, and families during one of the most important times in their lives? 💕 We are now accepting applications for our Doula Scholarship Program to serve moms and families living in Hardee, Highlands, & Polk Counties.
We desperately need doulas that live in Hardee and Highlands Counties, as there are pregnant women there that need our support!
Through this scholarship, you’ll receive comprehensive doula training using the G.R.O.W. Doula Model — a proven, hands-on approach that equips you to provide compassionate, informed, and empowering care to pregnant moms and families. 🙌
Thank you to Sunshine Health for your generous donation of sponsorship!
08/28/2025
Hey 👋
✨ What an incredible day at our Highlands County Bumps & Babies Community Baby Shower on August 23 at the Sebring Civic Center! ✨
We welcomed 94 participants, including moms- and dads-to-be, new parents, grandparents, and of course their little ones. 💕 Alongside them were 41 amazing vendors and volunteers who helped make the day so special.
Our guest panelist shared valuable information about home visiting programs in our area, and participants also learned important details about Preeclampsia during pregnancy. Every family went home with gifts, resources, and connections to support their journey. 🎁👶
A heartfelt thank you to our sponsors and community partners for your generous support and partnership with Healthy Start. We couldn’t do this without you! Aetna Better Health Publix, RCMA, Healthy Families Florida, Central Florida Health Care, Inc., Rhea Lana's of The Heartland, Pediatric Associates, Florida Department of Health (DOH), Nurse Family Partnership- Highlands County, Humana Healthy Horizons, Heartland Core Wellness, Heartland Rural Health Network, Inc., Mending The Gap-Fatherhood Initiative, Synergy Health Group, Flash Stars Achievement Center, Heartland for Children, Gulf Central Early Steps, BayCare, Drug Free Hardee, and Extraordinary You School of Etiquette
💜 Together, we are building healthier beginnings for families in Highlands County!
Check out this Photo Book (11 x 8.5 in) designed by Terry Linderman.
08/28/2025
📰 The Teen Pregnancy Prevention Alliance (TPPA) Monthly Newsletter is out now!
Each month, we share important updates, resources, and community highlights focused on empowering teens, supporting families, and building healthy futures.
Stay informed, get connected, and join us in making a difference!
08/22/2025
🌸✨ We’re so excited to share this again! ✨🌸
Applications are officially open for our next Healthy Start G.R.O.W. Doula Training happening December 5–7. This is an incredible opportunity to become a trained doula, support families in our community, and be part of a movement that uplifts moms, babies, and families through compassionate care. 💜
If you or someone you know feels called to this work, now is the time to apply! 📩 Applications are due by September 1st.
Together, we’re growing strong families and a strong community. 🌱💕
Hey !
🌸 Become a Healthy Start GROW Doula! 🌸
Do you have a passion for supporting moms, babies, and families during one of the most important times in their lives? 💕 We are now accepting applications for our Doula Scholarship Program to serve moms and families living in Hardee, Highlands, & Polk Counties.
We desperately need doulas that live in Hardee and Highlands Counties, as there are pregnant women there that need our support!
Through this scholarship, you’ll receive comprehensive doula training using the G.R.O.W. Doula Model — a proven, hands-on approach that equips you to provide compassionate, informed, and empowering care to pregnant moms and families. 🙌
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Contact The Practice
Send a message to Healthy Start Coalition of Hardee, Highlands & Polk Counties, Inc.:
The Healthy Start Coalition of Hardee, Highlands & Polk Counties, Inc. was enacted by the legislature in 1991, with the leadership of the late Governor Lawton Chiles. HSCHHP work to address maternal and child health issues by planning and funding a service delivery system while providing quality assurance, advocacy, program development and increasing community awareness and involvement.
The Healthy Start Coalition of Hardee, Highlands & Polk Counties, Inc. offers various programs, projects, and initiatives: Healthy Start Program, Connect, Beds 4 Babies Project, Nurse Family Partnership, Teen Pregnancy Prevention Alliance & Youth Leadership Team, Fetal Infant Mortality Review (FIMR) Project, and A Safe Haven for Newborns.
The Healthy Start Program is a no-cost program that provides one-on-one support and services to pregnant women, families with infants, and children up to age 3. These services include: education and support in childbirth, newborn care, breastfeeding education, women’s health, parenting, to***co cessation, and more. These services can help you throughout your pregnancy and after the birth of your baby. In order to participate in the Healthy Start Program, please complete the confidential Healthy Start Questionnaire at your provider’s office or at the hospital.
The goal of Connect is to provide the best services for families by prioritizing their needs and preferences and minimizing duplication of services. To refer families for services, contact connect at: 863-519-4700 or 863-519-4701.
The goal of Beds for Babies project is to decrease infant deaths due to accidental infant suffocation. For Back to Sleep materials or to schedule a presentation contact the coalition’s office.
The goal of Nurse Family Partnership of Highlands County is a program that utilize registered nurse home visitors to work with first time moms before giving birth. Nurses are able to address questions and concerns that the mom may have to help prepare her for childbirth and to ensure the delivery of a healthy baby.
The goal of Teen Pregnancy Prevention Alliance (TPPA) is to address the high rate of births to teens in Polk County. The goal of the Youth Leadership Team (YLT) is to educate, promote, and support teen pregnancy prevention efforts in Polk County through the TPPA.
The goal of the Fetal Infant Mortality Review (FIMR) Project is to examine the social, economic, cultural, safety and health systems issues associated with fetal and infant deaths in the coalition area.
The goal of A Safe Haven for Newborns is a law that provides parents a safe alternative to abandoning infants. Parents may leave an unharmed newborn, up to 7 days old, at any hospital, staffed fire rescue station, or emergency medical station, anonymously and free from fear of prosecution. For more information check out www.asafehavenfornewborns.com or 1-877-767-2229.
