Blooming News: Gratitude & Growth 🌷

We were inspired and energized by our keynote speaker, LaVonna Roth of Ignite Your S.H.I.N.E., whose message about leading with clarity, confidence, and heart serves as a beautiful reminder for the professionals who show up every day for the families we serve.

The 2026 Healthy Start Hero Award went to Board Member Mike Nelson, who was genuinely surprised by the honor. Someone who never seeks recognition, he is the kind of person we are proud to celebrate.

This year we were moved by our Family Spotlight featuring a mom who came to Healthy Start Coalition’s Parents As Teachers Plus program navigating postpartum depression while learning how to best help her little boy grow and thrive. Through it all, Healthy Start was by her side.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to our generous sponsors who make everything we do possible. Your unwavering support transforms lives and strengthens families throughout our community. We simply couldn’t do this without you!

We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to the Florida Legislature for its continued investment in maternal and infant health through home visiting. This funding directly supports the Home Visitors and Family Partners who walk alongside families in Pinellas County, offering education, connection, and support from pregnancy through a child’s earliest years.

Home visiting works because it meets families where they are, in their own homes, on their own terms. We are grateful for the state’s recognition that this kind of support changes outcomes for moms and babies, and we look forward to continuing this vital partnership on behalf of the families we serve.

Last year, we set out to ask our community a big question: what do moms, babies, and families in Pinellas County need most? That process began with a Maternal and Infant Health Needs Assessment, where we gathered input directly from our community. Earlier this year, with support from St. Petersburg College’s Collaborative Labs, we hosted a virtual Community Café, bringing partners together to continue the conversation.

We are so grateful for that partnership, and for every voice that shaped these conversations. Together, the needs assessment and Community Café outcomes became the foundation of our 2026-2031 Service Delivery Plan, which has now been drafted and submitted. This Plan will guide our strategic priorities and how we serve moms, babies, and families across Pinellas County for the next five years.

Thank you so much to everyone who contributed to this process. We are grateful for every partner, family, and community member who helped bring it to life.

We love connecting with families where they already are. Take a look below for upcoming events where you can find our team, connect with our services, and say hello.

1. Make a Plan

2. Build a Kit

3. Stay Informed

Preparing for severe weather when you’re pregnant or have a newborn requires special considerations, from medication storage to evacuation plans that account for infant needs. That’s why we’ve created comprehensive resources specifically for expectant and new families.

Visit our website to access our Hurricane Preparedness guide tailored for families like yours. Being prepared today means peace of mind tomorrow.

We are proud to share that our 2026 Annual Report is officially published! Inside, you will find a look back at a year of growth, partnership, and impact across our home visiting and wraparound programs, from Healthy Start and PAT+ to CONNECT, T.E.A.M. Dad, EMPOWER, and the Doula Collective.

This report belongs to all of you, our client families, our Parent Educators and Family Advocates, our funders, and our community partners, who make this work possible every single day.