Greetings,

While summer often signals a time to slow down, the Healthy Start Coalition of Hillsborough County never took a break. We’ve been hard at work supporting families, strengthening partnerships, and planning for the future as we kick off a brand-new fiscal year.

We’re proud to highlight some of the impactful work happening across our programs. We’re celebrating new team members, recent outreach efforts, and the strategic planning taking place to guide our next chapter.

Whether you’re a community partner, donor, or local advocate, your support continues to make a difference. Together, we’re making sure every baby in Hillsborough County gets the healthy start they deserve.

The Healthy Start program is built around partnership. Care Coordinators work one-on-one with parents to set realistic goals, identify challenges, and find real solutions. Whether it’s finding prenatal care, securing baby supplies, or learning new ways to manage stress, Healthy Start meets families where they are and helps them move forward with confidence.

"My family and I appreciate the [Healthy Start] program that educated me as a mother. I recognize the effort of my case worker, Ana Guerrero de Vargas, at REACHUP, Inc. She is an excellent worker, and she did everything to find solutions for every problem. Thank you!"

-Yadiza R.

June 4th, our Board of Directors gathered at The Tampa Club in downtown Tampa for a focused retreat. The session began with a PEST Analysis, evaluating political, economic, social, and technological factors, to guide the Coalition’s next steps and strategic priorities. The thoughtful discussion laid the groundwork for future planning and was followed by the formal quarterly board meeting. We’re grateful to our Board for their continued leadership and commitment to ensuring every family has access to the support they need.

Making big strides in early screenings and family support.

Last quarter, we welcomed Fatima Bichoutar, our Child Development Specialist for the Safe Baby Plus program! Since joining the team, Fatima has hit the ground running completing over 100 Ages and Stages Questionnaires (ASQ) with parents and their children at WIC sites.

Fatima has also helped families connect to early intervention and community resources. Her passion for early childhood development is already making a big impact!

Danielle Lewald, Adolescent Health Program Manager, and Tanner Cobb, Adolescent Health Peer Navigator, presented information about Teen Connect Tampa Bay and led a workshop on navigating youth resources at Hillsborough County Public Schools’ School-Based Mental Health Summer Symposium on June 10th at the Feeding Tampa Bay Causeway Center.

The event featured 200 student services staff including school counselors, social workers and psychologists.

Adolescent Health Peer Navigator, Sophia DeGroat, helped raise awareness about Teen Connect Tampa Bay at NAMI Hillsborough’s Annual Youth Minds Matter Community Wellness Summit on Saturday, June 14.

The event provided practical tools to help youth navigate mental health challenges, parental support resources, and opportunities to connect with mental health organizations and service providers.

Thank you to the Community Foundation Tampa Bay for their generous grant to support our TeleStart program.

TeleStart helps expectant moms get early, personalized support during pregnancy and connects them to the care and resources they need for healthy start for both mom and baby!

We're now on the TampaWell App!

The TampaWell app provides an exciting new way to connect with everything we offer! From discovering our programs and events to finding inspiration for your wellness journey, the app makes it easier than ever to stay engaged and motivated.

Here’s what you’ll love about the TampaWell app:

• Customized Activity Feed: Discover wellness events and activities tailored just for you.
• Daily Challenges: Take on fun, daily tasks that support your health and wellbeing.
• Progress Tracking: Stay on top of your goals with tools that help you measure your progress.
• Points & Rewards: Earn points for healthy choices and redeem them for exciting rewards.

WE'RE SOCIAL!