Counties: Alachua, Bradford, Citrus, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Hernando, Lafayette, Lake, Levy, Marion, Putnam, Sumter, Suwannee, Union

About: Connect, a coordinated intake and referral program, helps pregnant women, caregivers and families with young children by providing a one-stop entry point to home visiting programs and needed resources.

Services: Connects participants to various community programs and resources. Participating programs provide education and support in childbirth, newborn care, breastfeeding, child development, nutrition, family planning, help to quit smoking, infant safety, financial self- sufficiency, parenting and more. Resources may include food and housing assistance, counseling and employment services.

Who is eligible? Pregnant women, infants and families with young children who are at-risk for poor birth outcomes, unstable home environments and/or child developmental issues. Eligibility is determined by the connect screen, a series of questions and answers with a connect representative on the phone, which can uncover factors that could affect mom’s health or the baby’s health, growth and development.

How to enroll: Call Connect at 877-678-9355.

Our partnership: Connect is a partnership among Healthy Start, MIECHV/Parents as Teachers, Nurse-Family Partnership, NewboRN Home Visiting, T.E.A.M. Dad,  Healthy Start Doula Program  and Healthy Families. The program is overseen by Healthy Start of North Central Florida Coalition and Central Healthy Start Coalition, which are affiliate partners of WellFlorida Council. Sponsored by State of Florida, Department of Health, HEALTHY START MOMCARE NETWORK, INC., and State of Florida, Agency for Health Care Administration.

Learn more about Florida’s Connect program at Connect.HealthyStartFlorida.com