Summertime is sweet!☀️
July 2023
Newest Addition!
Tina Wilson, our amazing Family Navigator, just welcomed her new baby boy, Colin, into the world on June 15th!
While Tina is out on maternity leave, families that need to be connected to services can call 941-263-3552 or fill out our assistance request form and a team member will reach out!
Perinatal Mental Health Hub
Families that may have concerns about their mental health during the prenatal and postpartum periods, can learn more here!
The Perinatal Hub is a regional collaborative working to increase behavioral health screening, reduce stigma, and connect families to the right support.
Steering Committee Update
First 1,000 Days is ecstatic to welcome our newest members of the Steering Committee! This group of professionals and parents with lived experience ensure strategic alignment with county priorities and support community partnerships and collaborative efforts. Membership rotation occurs every two years to ensure diverse representation and opportunities for innovation.
Dr. Kristie Skoglund from The Florida Center for Early Childhood
Tara Wilcox, CenterPlace Health
Jamie Kattrein, Community Foundation of Sarasota County
Annie Camino-Klingener, Unidos Now
Tonika Conaway, parent leader
Lindsay Bramley, parent leader
Navigator Workgroup
The Navigator Workgroups continue to meet monthly, alternating between Sarasota and Manatee Counties. Facilitated by Nathan Scott and Janice Houchins, these professionals learn about community services and network with peers.
“I love coming to the Navigator Workgroup meetings and being able to connect with all of our community agencies, and figure out how we can really help support each other. ”
WORKGROUP PERKS:
• Network with & support other peers
• Enhance knowledge of community resources
• Professional development
• Brainstorm solutions to complex family situations
• Identify areas of need & opportunities for collaboration
Interested in attending our Navigator Workgroups in Sarasota and/or Manatee County? Email: First1000Days@smh.com
Proud to be a Baby-Friendly Hospital!
We are thrilled that our backbone organization, Sarasota Memorial Hospital has been successfully re-designated as a baby-friendly facility! This recognition reaffirms our commitment to providing the highest standard of care and support to both mothers and babies during the crucial first 1,000 days of life. We are proud to create a nurturing and comfortable environment that fosters the bond between caregiver and baby, setting the foundation for a lifetime of health and well-being.
Read more here!
Navigation Program Update
“I would not have had any idea about available community resources without Tina. First 1000 Days made connections to resources for me; as a new Mom, not having to remember resources and make multiple phone calls is so helpful. Agencies reached out to me…”
From January to June 2023, our team assisted 178 families in connecting with resources. 20 of those caregivers particiapted in key informant interviews to provide feedback on the program. Overall, the feedback received for First 1000 Days Family Navigation service was overwhelmingly positive and informants expressed high levels of satisfaction, gratitude, and appreciation. The Family Navigator, Tina, was commended for her helpfulness, personability, and timely assistance. Many informants highlighted her presence during critical moments, such as being in the NICU at the right time, attending Mother Baby groups for breastfeeding assistance, or reaching out to agencies on their behalf.
Partnerships have been critical to the work of the initiative, with an extremely high degree of involvement of community professionals. The collaborative culture and partnerships of the initiative have been vital to its success. Want to learn more ways to get involved? Reach out to us at First1000Days@smh.com
Help build connectivity to resources by joining the Unite Us platform, contact Carly Osborne to learn more carly.osborne@uniteus.com
Stay tuned! We’ll have an updated Impact page on our website with a community dashboard coming soon.