Winter 2025 Newsletter

Moving Into the New Year

Happy Holidays from our Healthy Start Family to Yours!

As we celebrate this holiday season, we want to take a moment to share our gratitude with the communities we serve. I also want to highlight the meaningful work that was made possible through all the support and partnership from community agencies, partners, and staff. This year, our Healthy Start team had the privilege of walking alongside moms, dads, and babies throughout Bay, Franklin, and Gulf counties providing vital services like prenatal education , home visits, breastfeeding support, safe-sleep guidance, family strengthening and more. Our mission has remained the same over the last 33 years, ensuring that every baby has the healthiest start possible, and every parent feels supported along the way.

As we close out the year, we want to thank the families who allow us into their lives and their homes, the community partners who amplify our mission and the supporters who believe in the work we do. Together we are creating brighter beginnings- one family at a time. We wish you all a joyful, peaceful holiday season and look forward to continuing this important work in the new year! 

Warmly,

Sharon Trainor

Executive Director, Bay, Franklin, Gulf Healthy Start Coalition, Inc.

12/11/2025 Community Action Group Meeting

12/25/2025 Christmas

01/01/2026 New Years Day

01/16/2026 Martin Luther King Day

01/27/2026 FIMR Meeting

02/14/2026 Valentines Day

02/16/2026 Presidents Day

02/19/2026 CIR HV Advisory Committee Meeting

02/24/2026 FIMR Meeting

03/12/2026 Community Action Group Meeting

03/2026 TEAM Dad Graduation



New Employee Spotlight

Save the Date

The Healthy Start Worlds Greatest Baby Shower is officially scheduled for April 16, 2026! Vendor registration information has been sent out and more updates will be coming soon!

Coping With Grief During the Holidays

Grief and the holidays can be challenging for so many reasons. We hope you find comfort that your feelings matter, regardless of what comes up during the “most wonderful time of the year.” Here are some “Griever’s Rights” we want you to remember during this season.

Feelings, Emotions and the Holidays



By: Greg Faulkenberry, T.E.A.M. Dad Coach

The third session of the 24/7 Dad Curriculum focuses on "Showing and Handling Feelings."

It emphasizes the importance of fathers acknowledging their emotions rather than suppressing them. This is crucial not only for fathers but also for their children, as it helps kids understand that it’s okay to experience and express their feelings. Managing their own emotional lives allows fathers to effectively guide their children. An important lesson for dads to learn is that children develop emotional regulation through observation and interaction. When a father responds to a child's feelings with care and patience, it fosters the child's emotional skills and resilience. Expressing emotions should be seen as a positive trait; it does not diminish strength or masculinity. In fact, it takes courage to show emotions and be honest about one’s feelings.

This topic is especially relevant during the holidays, a time that can evoke a wide range of emotions, from joy to stress and even grief. It’s essential for fathers to navigate the added pressures, changes in routine, and potential family conflicts that often arise during this season. Dads should prioritize their mental and emotional health—taking walks, exercising, and even enjoying video games can be helpful, as long as these activities remain occasional coping mechanisms and not the main focus. The goal is to achieve peace, enjoy family time, and truly savor the experience. To wrap up, here are a couple of tips: First, have an open family conversation about expectations, and second, create new and meaningful traditions. Dads, maybe this could be your best Christmas ever!

T.E.A.M. Dad Graduation

On Thursday, September 18, we hosted our second T.E.A.M. Dad graduation of 2025. Several of the dads in the program, along with their families, attended. Like our first graduation, we had a great time. The theme for the evening, which we've carried throughout the year, was Super Dad.

Diego's Restaurant catered the dinner. Approximately forty people were in attendance, including Healthy Start Staff. Additionally, incredible volunteers were there to serve.

At our first graduation in the Spring, we were so honored to graduate our first dad of 2025, which was encouraging to us all and set the stage for an incredible year to come. For the Fall graduation, we graduated six dads from the TEAM Dad program. Each dad celebrated that night with their families and had the opportunity to share their thoughts on how TEAM Dad had impacted their lives as fathers.

One graduate shared, "I didn't grow up with a father or a consistent father figure. TEAM Dad came in and really filled that gap." Another said, "I wouldn't be able to do this without TEAM Dad, and it really means a lot to us."

We are constantly amazed by the dads in the TEAM Dad program. March 2026 will be our next semi-annual graduation event, and we plan to graduate even more dads than at our Fall graduation.

If you know a dad with a child under three or an expectant father, let him know about a program that offers encouragement and mentorship for dads. And TEAM Dad will continue to do our part to make great dads greater.

Salt Dough Ornaments

Moms and Dads, is it your babies’ first holiday season? Do you want a long-lasting keepsake to help you remember how tiny your babies hands and feet were during that first year of life? Would you like to share those tiny hand and footprints with family? Salt Dough ornaments are easy to make and are long-lasting ornaments. They only take a few ingredients that most people already have in their pantry - Flour, salt, water and of course, those tiny little baby hands or feet!

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup table salt

1 cup warm water

Large mixing bowl

Rolling pin

Baby feet/hands

Skewer to make a hanging hole

Modge Podge or Acrylic sealer

Ribbon or twine

Glitter

Acrylic paint

Parchment Paper

1. Make the Dough: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. Slowly stir in the warm water until a dough begins to form.
2. Knead: Turn the mixture onto a lightly floured surface and knead until it is smooth and pliable, about 10 minutes. If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour; if it's too dry, add a few drops of water.
3. Roll and Cut: Roll the dough out to about 1/4 inch thick on parchment paper. Push baby’s hand or foot into the dough to make an impression. 
4. Create Holes: Use the skewer to poke a hole in the top of each ornament for hanging later.
5. Bake: Move the dough carefully to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake in a preheated oven at a low temperature (around 200°F to 250°F, or 93°C to 121°C) until the ornaments are hard and completely dry. Baking time varies based on thickness and can range from one to several hours (e.g., 2-3 hours at 250°F).
6. Cool Completely: Allow the ornaments to cool fully on a wire rack.
7. Decorate and Seal: Paint the ornaments with acrylic paints and let them dry. You can also sprinkle glitter on the ornament. Once dry, apply a coat of clear sealant like Mod Podge or a polyurethane spray to protect them and add shine.

December is Safe Toy Awareness Month, a time to remind families and caregivers about the importance of selecting age-appropriate and safe toys for children. Choosing toys that meet safety standards can prevent injuries and ensure playtime is both fun and secure. This month, take a moment to check toys for small parts, sharp edges, or recalled items, and encourage safe play habits to keep your little ones happy and protected.