The Florida Association of Healthy Start Coalitions, Inc. serves as the lead organization and federal grantee for Florida MIECHV. The state’s largest Title V-funded program, FAHSC represents the statewide network of community maternal child health coalitions responsible for implementing the state Healthy Start program.
The Ounce of Prevention Fund of Florida coordinates the implementation of professional development activities for Florida MIECHV through its Healthy Families Training Institute. The Ounce is also responsible for creating the Florida MIECHV Online Learning Management System (OLMS) to track training provided through the initiative. A private, nonprofit corporation, the Ounce is dedicated to shaping prevention policy and investing in innovative prevention programs that provide measurable benefits to our state’s children, families and communities.
The FSU Center for Prevention & Early Intervention Policy assists professional development activities for home visitors, including training on its nationally recognized Partners for a Healthy Baby curriculum. The Center is leading efforts to craft core competencies for the early childhood workforce, and coordinated the state’s first Home Visiting Conference. The Center’s specialization focuses on infants and toddlers in the areas of school readiness, infant mental health, home visiting and quality childcare practices.
The USF Lawton & Rhea Chiles Center is conducting a state evaluation of Florida MIECHV, measuring its impact on the outcomes of the families served, as well as its effect on coordination of services in implementing communities. The Center is also examining the initiative’s return on investment (ROI). The Chiles Center is dedicated to determining the most effective strategies, programs and systems for reducing illness and death among mothers, their infants and young children. It brings together experts in health care, program design and evaluation, and maternal and infant care from Florida universities and other state, national and international programs.