IMPACT

We’re thrilled to unveil our brand-new Look-Book! Dive into our mission, vision, initiative, staff, regional partners, success stories, and so much more.

This is your go-to resource to discover how we’re supporting our community and why the first 1,000 days of a child’s life-when 80% of brain development happens-are crucial.

CLICK HERE to view!

Closing-the-loop: a novel care coordination tool to reduce maternal healthcare utilization postpartum and collaboratively build interventions to address community needs

Through our collective partnership with the healthcare system and our non-profit partners, we have been screening for social and economic barriers and connecting families with resources during pregnancy and the postpartum period. This connection has been critical in improving postpartum health outcomes and reducing healthcare utilization.

First 1000 Days - Through The Lens of Community Partners

First 1,000 Days Suncoast follows the Collective Impact Model, uniting over 90 partner organizations around a shared mission to support and connect families with resources during their child’s first 1,000 days, a unique window where interventions have the highest impact on a child’s development trajectory. It’s a time when the environment, nutrition, caregiving, and experiences can shape a person’s life in profound ways, setting the stage for learning, health, and resilience. Strong partnerships have been formed due to each organization’s dedication to making a lasting impact on children and families in our community.

Drawing on key informant interviews with professionals across the region, this white paper captures the experiences, insights, and outcomes of those working on the front lines. It explores how collaboration, trust-building, and a shared commitment to maternal and child health have led to stronger networks, more efficient resource navigation, and an overall more coordinated approach to care.

First 1000 Days featured in Professional Case Management Journal

Initiative Director Dr. Chelsea Arnold and Coordinator Janice Houchins were recently published in the Professional Case Management Journal. Their article “Multidisciplinary Meetings Build Community Partnerships, Increase Knowledge, and Support Professionals” highlights the use of the Collective Impact Model, and the wide-ranging impacts of community partnerships. 

The article also provides a deep dive into the crucial role Navigators play in helping families access complex social and healthcare systems.

Focus is also on Navigator Workgroups, and how this initiative, launched by First 1,000 Days, helps to provide a platform for multidisciplinary professionals to share insights, build relationships, enhance their understanding of available resources, and reduce professional burnout. 

“We are blessed to have so many willing to work together for the benefits of families. When First 1,000 Days asked for help with the parent focus groups, eleven organizations immediately say YES! What a beautiful example of collaboration and commitment to amplifying parent voice.” - Janice Houchins, Initiative Coordinator

This brief highlights lessons learned from the Parent Focus Groups we were able to hold in 2024. There was a total of 101 participants over 11 different focus groups, hosted by different partner organizations, including The Florida Center for Early Childhood, Mothers Helping Mothers, Harvest House, SOLVE Maternity Homes, Lightshare, Children First, DeSoto County Schools, Manatee Memorial Hospital MoMMs program, Carenet Manasota, and First 1,000 Days Parent Advisory Committee.

Topics include:

  • Parents’ Dreams for Themselves and Their Children

  • Community Barriers

  • Supports Parents Need to Reach Their Dreams

  • Parent Leadership Goals & Barriers

First 1,000 Days featured in Interdisciplinary Journal of Partnership Studies

Initiative Director Dr. Chelsea Arnold; Kelly Romanoff of the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation; Mary O’ Connor and Pam Beitlich of the Sarasota Memorial Care System were recently published in the Interdisciplinary Journal of Partnership Studies. Their article “First 1,000 Days Suncoast: Regional Initiative Transforming Care for Babies and Their Families” highlights the importance of the partnerships First 1,000 Days has and the impact they have on the community. 

“I Felt Supported, Empowered, and Encouraged”: Early Findings from a Community Initiative to Strengthen and Support Families Through the First 1,000 Days of Life

This article shared learnings and impact of the First 1,000 Days Suncoast Family Navigation program aimed to measure its impact on parent stress, protective factors, and mental health.

Learn More

  • If you or your organization would like to join our partnership or volunteer to support First 1,000 Days Suncoast, visit our Get Involved Page here.

  • First 1,000 Days operates on charitable contributions. Your gift will make existing services more accessible to families and help all children reach their potential. Click here to donate now!

  • From the third trimester of pregnancy through babies’ second birthday, human brains undergo a period of rapid growth. During the first 1,000 days of life, children are hardwired in ways that have lifelong consequences.

    Fortunately children are resilient if they have the supports to help them thrive. Babies who have healthcare, good nutrition, stable homes, loving relationships and early childhood education start life with a strong foundation for success.

    Our work is guided by industry-leading science and inspired by the courage of the families we serve. Learn more by visiting our Why It Matters page here.

  • Each year, First 1,000 Days Suncoast reviews barriers facing families in our region. The team facilitates workgroups, comprised of community partners and parents with lived experience, to develop innovative solutions. The results of those workgroups, in-depth data and our annual reports are available HERE.