Healthy Start - Infants (3 years and under)

The intent of the Healthy Start initiative is to assure all infants and children three (3) years and younger in Florida have access to child health care and services necessary to reduce risk for poor outcome. The Healthy Start model provides a mechanism to identity and address increased risk, whether medical, psychosocial, or environmental. Most infants have normal risk and need for postnatal care services; however, others may need support and services tailored to reduce risk factors.

Infants identified as at risk for undesirable outcomes by screening or referral are required by the Healthy Start legislation to receive notification of their risk status. At initial contact, assets available to the participant to offset their risk status may be discussed and a determination made as to whether the participant needs further intervention or simply needs information about community resources and the name of a Healthy Start contact in the event circumstances change.

Once in a system of health care, infants are to receive screening for risk factors that make them more likely to experience delivery of a low birth weight baby, or infant mortality, respectively. Offering Healthy Start risk screening to all infants and children three (3) years and under is required by Florida Statute and serves to direct those most at risk into the care coordination system for additional intervention.

Once the Healthy Start participant is opened to care coordination, the provider will use professional judgment and assessment skills in collaboration with the client/family to determine the level of services needed.