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The Florida Department of Health works to protect, promote, and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county, and community efforts.

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Maternal and Child Health

Healthy Start Program

St. Lucie County Children’s Services Council – Our Children – Our Community – Our Future – Opens in a new window
Sisters Empowering Sisters Doula Program is funded by Children’s Services Council of St. Lucie County. The Children’s Services Council is a dedicated source of revenue established by voter referendum to improve the lives of children and families in St. Lucie County.

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Awareness Month:

There are about 3,400 sleep-related deaths among US babies each year. Although health care providers and researchers don’t know the exact causes of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), research shows parents and caregivers can help reduce the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related infant deaths.

Sudden unexpected infant death (SUID) is a term defined by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) as the sudden and unexpected death of a baby less than 1-year-old in which the cause was not obvious before investigation. Sudden unexpected infant deaths include sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), accidental suffocation in a sleeping environment, and other deaths from unknown causes that happen during sleep or in the baby’s sleep area.

While the country's rate of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) has dropped by more than 50 percent over the past two decades, SIDS continues to claim the lives of about 1,500 U.S. infants each year. This October, we join The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) in recognizing Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Awareness Month.  Help us spread the word about the importance of creating a safe sleep environment and learn how you can support parents and caregivers with resources and strategies to reduce the risk of SIDS.


Test Your Knowledge by taking this short, interactive quiz:
https://nichq.org/how-safe-sleep-savvy-are-you

Safe Sleep Resources:

The below resources can be used by pediatricians, family physicians, other health care providers, and advocates to work with parents and caregivers to reduce the risks of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and other sleep-related infant deaths.

• Safe Sleep Resources for Child-Care Providers
• Safe Infant Sleep and Breastfeeding Facts and Myths

Services Provided:

Teen Choices:

Offers education to non-pregnant teens, ages 13-18 in the areas of STDs, HIV/AIDS, teen pregnancy prevention, self-esteem building and forming positive relationships. An 8-series curriculum entitled Teen Choices is also available to groups of teens between the ages of 13-18. Services are available for both males & females.

Teen Choices is funded by Children’s Services Council of St. Lucie County. The Children’s Services Council is a dedicated source of revenue established by voter referendum to improve the lives of children and families in St. Lucie County.

Sisters Empowering Sisters Doula Program – Creating a Positive Birth Experience

A doula provides women continuous labor support during her labor & delivery.  Trained women from the Fort Pierce area are taking referrals if you meet the following criteria:

1. Pregnant now.
2. You live in the 34950 or 34947 zip codes.

A doula will provide you professional doula support during your pregnancy, labor & birth experience and post-partum period. The goal is for high risk women to have improved birth outcomes and lower infant mortality rates. You will enter into a trusting relationship, learn more about the birth experience, be supported & empowered through your birth experience, get breastfeeding support and post-partum follow up – ALL FREE!  

For more information contact Sonya Gabriel at 772-462-3955.

Sisters Empowering Sisters Doula Program is funded by Children’s Services Council of St. Lucie County. The Children’s Services Council is a dedicated source of revenue established by voter referendum to improve the lives of children and families in St. Lucie County.

HUG-Me:

Help Understand and Guide Me, is a program that offers an RN to provide clinical case management for HIV positive pregnant women and their exposed babies for St Lucie County, Martin County, Indian River County & Okeechobee County.

Targeted Outreach for Pregnant Women Act (TOPWA):

Services offered by TOPWA are geared toward women of childbearing ages in an effort to ensure safe and healthy pregnancies. Any pregnant substance-abusing, HIV-infected or woman at risk of acquiring HIV are eligible to receive TOPWA services. In addition to accessing prenatal care, pregnant women enrolled in TOPWA can receive HIV testing, pregnancy testing, enrollment in ADAP or Medicaid, family planning services and receive HIV prevention and education. Eligible clients are provided assistance enrolling into OB care, WIC, Healthy Start, Medicaid, and any other prenatal care service.

DOSE (Direct On Scene Education):

In collaboration with the Fire District of St Lucie County, the purpose of the program is to inform the community about safe sleep for infants. First responders will provide infant safe sleep/safety information include sleep environment checks. FDOH will assist with pack & plays based on referrals from fire rescue.

Infant Mortality:

FDOH-SLC heads the Infant Mortality workgroup of St Lucie County, implementing a workplan approved by the Roundtable of St Lucie County. The goal is to reduce the number of babies dying before their first birthday and improve birth outcomes.

For more information, contact:
Program Supervisor
(772) 462-3955
Hours: Monday–Friday 8 am–5 pm