April 2026
Navigator Recharge: A Day of Renewal and Connection
On April 2, 2026, we sponsored a retreat for Navigators in Sarasota, Manatee, and DeSoto counties. Navigators (i.e., caseworkers, peer support, family advocates, etc.) are everyday heroes who work tirelessly to connect families to vital resources, guide them through complex systems, and provide ongoing support. The need for navigators is growing at a rapid pace, and unfortunately, high rates of professional burnout, compassion fatigue, and turnover can exist in this role. We know that to best support families, we need to support the professionals who work closely with them. The retreat was designed to support, honor, and celebrate these special individuals.
The retreat was held at Resilient Retreat in Sarasota, offering a peaceful setting for restoration and connection. Twenty-six navigators from diverse service sectors across the region participated in this well-received event. The day began with a one-hour facilitated housing panel discussion featuring community leaders who shared updates on upcoming developments, projects, and partnerships impacting housing in our region. With housing being one of the most challenging topics for Navigator roles, this discussion gave them tools and hope for the future. Following the panel, participants engaged in interactive experiences, grounded in trauma-informed care, led by Resilient Retreat staff.
By the end of the day, navigators had time to relax, rejuvenate, and connect with one another. Most importantly, they left with practical tools and relaxation and resiliency techniques to support their personal well-being — ensuring they can continue their essential work serving families.
Voices of the Families We Serve
We continue to be in awe of the work done by Family Navigators Tina and Renee! In addition to connecting parents with community resources, they also provide a space for them to vent about challenges and celebrate their accomplishments. Both of them also lead parent committees, which empower parents to be leaders within their own home and in the community, while also building their own village of support with other families. Parents and caregivers deeply value the guidance, encouragement, and care they receive from this dynamic duo. Hailey Tallman, Community Support Specialist, has also been a positive light for families, delivering items to homes and cheering them on along the way. Her warm demeanor and soft smile have been known to be a source of comfort for parents. Below are just a few examples of the overwhelmingly positive feedback shared by families about the team:
“Thank you for everything. A friend told me about your program, and I didn’t know what to say at first. From the moment I called you, you have been warm, kind and non-judgmental. I appreciate you so much.” - First time mom
“Thanks for taking the time to call me back today. I am shocked how quickly you were able to connect me to people who can help. As a first-time mom everything is really overwhelming. It is nice to not have to try to find a flyer. You always text and call me back quickly. - First time mom.
“I went from being helpless and hopeless to having some kind of Faith and hope that things were going to get better.” - First time mom and new to the area
1 Day, 1 Golfer, 100 Holes
Dr. Chelsea Arnold, Initiative Director, and her husband, Stephen Arnold, led a successful fundraising event at Longboat Key Club in December. Thanks to the overwhelming generosity of clients, friends, and family, and an ongoing match from the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation, the total amount raised exceeded $115,000. Sarasota Memorial Health Care Foundation confirmed this was the most successful outside event conducted in the history of the foundation. To learn more about Stephen’s remarkable day on the golf course and its meaningful impact for families, read the Observer’s article “Golfing Feat Makes a Difference for Area Families”.
Partnerships In Action
First 1,000 Days Suncoast is powered by partnerships, and we are truly grateful to the partners below whose commitment and compassion helped us support families in meaningful ways over the last few months.
First United Methodist Church of Sarasota collected 7,832 diaper wipes and 6,312 diapers to support families in need across the community. Diapers and wipes are essential items that are often difficult for families to access, and a top reason parents reach out for assistance. The diaper drive reflects the powerful impact of faith-based and community partnerships working together to meet basic needs and strengthen families. We extend heartfelt gratitude to the congregation of First United Methodist Church for their compassion, leadership, and dedication to building a healthier, more supportive community for families and children.
Aqua Tots customers generously donated 414 swim lessons to families working with First 1,000 Days Suncoast, benefiting 17 children. Living in Florida means being surrounded by water, making water safety a top priority. It was also a top need identified in the initiative’s regional parent focus groups. Thank you, Aqua Tots, for teaching children the skills and confidence they need to stay safe in and around the water.
Venice High School’s Key Club members demonstrated the power of student leadership and community service through a successful diaper drive benefitting families served by First 1,000 Days Suncoast. The project was led by Sophia Szeremy, who first learned about the Initiative while volunteering at Sarasota Memorial Hospital. Thank you, Sophia, and fellow Key Club members, for making a difference!
Roni Padua Photography partnered with us for a special lifestyle photo and video shoot celebrating the families we serve. During the session, each family shared about their parenthood journey and how First 1,000 Days has supported them. Afterwards, they enjoyed a professional photo and video shoot capturing candid moments with their children. These beautiful images will help us tell the story of families and the impact of First 1,000 Days, while also providing parents with a special memory with their children. We are grateful to the families that participated and to Roni for helping us highlight these meaningful moments.
Conferences and Presentations
The First 1,000 Days Team attended Florida’s 10th Annual Maternal Mental Health Conference. The team enjoyed networking with other early childhood leaders and learning best practices from leaders across the state.
Dr. Arnold was honored to present on behalf of the initiative in a Plenary Session titled: The Power of Connection. An exciting highlight of the conference was Dr. Chelsea Arnold receiving the first Florida State University Carol Brady Trailblazer Award for her pioneering leadership in developing the framework, strategy, and operations of First 1,000 Days Suncoast over the last seven years. The initiative has been seen as a model for other statewide and national collaboratives. Dr. Arnold attributes the success of our initiative to the incredible parents, colleagues, and mentors who worked tirelessly in our community.
A special thanks to Alana Draper, a dedicated parent leader, who serves on First 1,000 Days Suncoast’s Parent Advisory Committee and Steering Committee. Alana recently co-presented with Janice Houchins, Initiative Coordinator, at a community education session. She shared her story of resilience as a mom of two, along with her experience with First 1,000 Days, and interactions with community partner agencies. Alana discussed struggles many young mothers face while also highlighting the importance of a responsive, caring, and supportive community. Her perspective helped the audience better understand the realities parents navigate every day.
We are grateful for Alana, her willingness to share her voice, and the meaningful impact she continues to make as a community leader, advocating for families and consulting on impactful strategies and campaigns.
Dr. Chelsea Arnold was honored to present the work of First 1,000 Days with HHS Premiere Perinatal Improvement Collaborative (PPIC) on 4/12/26. PPIC is a national healthcare system collaborative aimed at improving outcomes for mothers and babies by supporting peer-to-peer learning, where hospitals across the country share best practices and innovative approaches that improve maternal and child health.
Dr. Chelsea Arnold and First 1,000 Days Steering Committee member, Carla Johanns, with Forty Carrots Family Center, were plenary panelists for the opening session at the annual Florida Blue Foundation Community Health Symposium. During the session, titled Addressing Maternal Mental Health through Partnerships and Collaborations, they shared insights into the critical role of partnerships and technology in addressing the current maternal mental health crisis and provided expertise on innovative solutions and best practices.
Training Held to Strengthen Referral Network
On 2/25/26, thirty-eight participants representing twenty-four agencies participated in a training session designed to expand and strengthen our regional referral network. A special thanks to the Sarasota Department of Health for hosting and helping lead the event, to the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation for providing lunch, and to Sarasota Memorial Hospital for their help with organizing this collaborative opportunity to connect partners and strengthen support for families across our region. The session was a huge success with 94% of participants reporting that the training increased their confidence in using the platform.
Building and sustaining a strong, regional referral network is critical as it helps professionals find best-fit resources for families, streamlines the referral process, eliminates duplication of efforts, increases communication between providers, and offers organizations and the boarder community aggregate-level data to identify needs and inform strategic planning.
Additional training opportunities will be available throughout the year. Please contact Janice Houchins at janice-houchins@smh.com if interested in participating and/or with any questions.
CONNECT WITH US!
Our community partners are vital to our mission. First 1,000 Days Suncoast is committed to working collaboratively to develop innovative solutions that make a lasting difference for families, organizations, and communities.
Here's how you can get involved:
- Join a First 1,000 Days workgroup.
- Screen for social and mental health needs.
- Volunteer with organizations serving pregnant women and families.
- Join the Unite Us platform to streamline referrals and care coordination.
-Share this information to spread awareness.
If you know someone who is pregnant or has a child under the age of three and needs support, encourage them to request assistance through First 1,000 Days: www.first1000dayssuncoast.org/help-form.
941-917-7421 | First1000Days@smh.com | First1000DaysSuncoast.org