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About Healthy StartNational Healthy Start AssociationThe National Healthy Start Association was founded in 1991 and established on the premise that community driven strategies were needed to address the cause of infant mortality and low birth weight, especially among high risk populations. Focus is on strengthening community systems knowledge of maternal and infant care and work with communities to address the medical, behavioral, social services and cultural needs of women and infants. Twin Cities Healthy Start has provided services since 1999 and is one of 100+ projects nationwide. Twin Cities StatisticsThe average infant mortality rate from 2006 to 2008 was 7.9% (up from 6.1% for the previous three-year period). The total number of deaths from 2006 to 2008 was 149 compared with 113 from 2003 to 2005. Deaths are highest in the African American and American Indian communities. In 2009, 878 pregnant women were screened at Twin Cities Healthy Start program sites and 478 women were provided case management services. Twin Cities Healthy StartCore services are provided for pregnant women through their baby’s second year of life. Activities include case management, health education, community based consortium and a plan that mobilizes community-based organizations and local, state, public and private providers to identify and eliminate barriers to quality, family-centered services. TCHS is directed by a community-based consortium comprised of local health departments, social and health providers, educational institutions, community based agencies, faith based agencies and community members. Twin Cities Healthy Start |
