Page 18 - Florida Sentinel 5-20-22

Feature
Healthy Start Coalition Offers A Variety Of Programs
BY MONIQUE STAMPS Sentinel Staff Writer
For some mothers with babies, times are tough. In addition to the baby formula shortage, mothers must navigate a strained healthcare system that does not always make it easy for women needing help. How- ever, there is help for women who are pregnant or thinking about preg- nancy.
The Healthy Start Coalition of Hillsborough County is a private, non-profit maternal and child health organization dedicated to reducing Hillsborough County’s infant mor- tality rate and improving the health of pregnant women.
The group collaborates with com- munity organizations and individu- als to maximize community resources and offer a variety of pro- grams to meet the needs of women,
ager.
Johnson joined the organization
in October 2021, after working at the Early Learning Coalition of Hillsbor- ough County. Johnson and her husband moved to Tampa from Or- lando.
Johnson has worked in social work and early development for nine years.
She is the organization’s first Com- munications Manager.
“Any woman can benefit from the services provided by Healthy Start. After my last child was born, even I took advantage of the help that Healthy Start provides.”
The organization has ten main pro- grams and often partners with other organizations, such as local hospi- tals, USF, ReachUp Inc., and other Healthy Start programs in Polk, Pasco, and Pinellas counties.
Healthy Start has no income max-
imums and is available to everyone. Programs and outside partners may have some restrictions.
Healthy Start Coalition of Hillsborough County is located at 2806 N. Armenia Avenue, Suite 100, Tampa, FL, 33607. Call (813) 233-2800 or email to info@hstart.org.
JONNA JOHNSON Communications Manager of Healthy Start Coalition of Hillsborough County.
children and families.
The organization offers several
programs according to Jonna Johnson, Communications Man-
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