How do you qualify?
Healthy Start believes every woman deserves to know if she or her baby is at risk. After agreeing to complete the Healthy Start Prenatal Risk Screen, the medical provider will refer patients to Healthy Start based on their answers provided from the survey. Answers on the survey are always private. Healthy Start and the provider’s office will communicate with each other to ensure the client has the best outcome possible. Women are referred to the Healthy Start Program when there are identified risks that may affect the baby and mother.
If a mother, or baby, does not score into the program based on the risk screen, a provider may refer them into the program based on other factors. Families may also self-refer by contacting CONNECT at 239-425-6930.
To view a copy of the Healthy Start Prenatal Risk Screen, Click here.
If a woman qualifies for Healthy Start, one of our caring professionals will contact her. They will provide education and support, and arrange other services which may be needed.
Every doctor in the state of Florida is required to offer a Healthy Start Risk Screen survey. A second survey will be conducted when the baby is born. This is called the Healthy Start Infant Risk Screen. We want to ensure the baby gets the best start in the first year of life. If there are problems when the baby is born, Healthy Start services will be available if needed. To view the Healthy Start Infant Risk Screen, Click here.
Free Healthy Start services include:
*Many services are available in Spanish and Creole
If you are not in need of Healthy Start services, we encourage you to complete the Healthy Start screen at your birthing facility as it will be helpful in gathering the data and funding necessary to improve the system of care for ALL moms and babies in Southwest Florida.
