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WHO ARE WE?
Jackson-Hinds Healthy Start is an initiative of the Maternal and Child Bureau (MCHB), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) #5 49MC27811-02-00 targeted to the needs of vulnerable families living in communities in Hinds County which have exceptionally high rates of infant mortality. The Healthy Start Program works with women of childbearing age and their children through their second birthday.
WHAT DO WE DO?
The Healthy Start Initiative strives to ensure access to community-based, culturally sensitive, family-centered, comprehensive health and social services to women and their families. The Program provides the following services:
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Home visiting
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Case management and linkage to social services
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Referral and ongoing health care coordination for well-women, prenatal, postpartum, and well-child care
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Perinatal depression screenings and linkage to behavioral health services
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Interconception education, reproductive life planning and birth spacing
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Child development education and parenting support
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Transportation and outreach activities
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Father involvement, co-parenting support, male engagement activities
WHY WE DO IT?
While the US infant mortality rate has declined overall in recent years, according to the 2015 Mississippi State Department of Health Infant Mortality Report, Mississippi ranks 50th in infant mortality rate in the nation. The goals of the Program are to:
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Reduce preterm births
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Decrease low birth weight
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Improve maternal health
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Increase breastfeeding
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Reduce SIDS & other sleep-related deaths
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Increase partner involvement
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Strengthen family resilience
HOW WILL WE ACHIEVE THESE GOALS?
The Healthy Start Program actively solicits information from the women and families they serve, uses community health data to identify service needs, and identifies individuals who may benefit from the program through referrals from medical providers. The Healthy Start Program implements evidence-based health and community interventions, during the preconception, prenatal, postpartum, and parenting phases to help to strengthen family resilience, creating the foundation for optimal infant and young child health and development.
