This presentation is an overview of the Save My Life Program offered by the Healthy Start Coalition of Sarasota Florida. The Save My Life Program provides free culturally relevant education and support about pregnancy, breastfeeding, parenting, safe sleep, getting healthy between pregnancies, and much more.
ISYU TUNGKOL SA SEKSWLADIDA (ISSUE ABOUT SEXUALITY
The Save My Life Program Overview 2013
1. An Overview
Presented by :
Beverly Phelps
Save My Life Program Coordinator
Jamee Thumm
Education Coordinator
Healthy Start Coalition of Sarasota County, Inc.
1750 17th Street, Building A
Sarasota, FL 34234 (941)373-7070
www.healthystartsarasota.org
2. Why was Save My Life formed?
To reduce racial disparities in
birth outcomes in Sarasota
County.
Increase community awareness
about risk factors leading to
poor maternal and infant
health.
Provide culturally relevant
pregnancy health and other
related educational services.
3. Racial Disparities in Sarasota
County
*Fetal Death units in per 1,000 deliveries;
Infant Death units in per 1,000 live births
6. Services Offered
Classes and Education:
Interconception Care
Childbirth Education
Breastfeeding Education
Kangaroo Care
Safe Sleep and
SIDS Prevention
Parenting Classes
Breastfeeding Support
7. Save My Life Program in Numbers
2012-2013 Fiscal Year:
180 clients
Provided over 300
classes
118 one-on-one
breastfeeding support
sessions
43 outreach activities
8. Outreach & Partnerships
Janie’s Garden
Supplemental Nutrition
Assistance Program
(SNAP)
Community AIDS Network
Suncoast Workforce
Center
Newtown Selby Goodwill
First Step
9. Outreach & Partnerships
Newtown Community
Service Coalition
Newtown Health
Advisory Council
Newtown CHAT
Newtown Front Porch
2nd Chance-Last
Opportunity
Children First
Women, Infants, &
Children’s Supplemental
Food Program (WIC)
10. Client Stories
“This is an excellent program for
all moms to attend, especially
first-time moms like myself. Ms.
Phelps teaches everything from
the start of pregnancy to actually
giving birth. The class sizes are
small which makes it easier for
me to feel comfortable enough to
ask questions. I would gladly
recommend this class to any other
mother regardless of if it’s her
first or third child. “
-Cassandra Lee
11. Client Stories
“I learned a lot of do’s and don’ts,
and I can honestly say I’m stress
free from a lot of problems I
thought I would go through. I
would also recommend these
classes to my friends and family.
Beverly is an awesome instructor
and I thank her and the team for
taking the time to teach me new
things. This class has really saved
my life. Thank you.”
- Ya’ Keyra Mayes
12. Client Stories
“I especially appreciated the
childbirth and breastfeeding
classes that I attended with
Ms. Beverly Phelps.
Childbirth Education
prepared me and gave me
the knowledge needed for
labor and delivery. The
breastfeeding information
was very helpful as well.”
-Caprina Kerner with
Anazhai Kerner
13. Save My Life Program
Video about The Save My Life Program
http://youtu.be/d8N-aeitYak
15. Questions?
Thank you!
Healthy Start Coalition of Sarasota County, Inc.
1750 17th Street, Building A
Sarasota, FL 34234 (941)373-7070
www.healthystartsarasota.org
Notas del editor
As you can see from the graphs, African-Americans have significantly higher poor birth outcomes than whites. Low birth weight, preterm birth, and fetal and infant death are all much higher in Sarasota’s African-American population, than whites. This racial disparity is similar to what is seen at the state and national level.
Another area where we see a significant racial disparity locally is in overweight and obese mothers. This is a concern because having a very high or low body mass index (BMI) has been shown to contribute to poor birth outcomes.
Sarasota County has a very good breastfeeding rate overall, well above state and national averages, however, our African-American population has shown a much lower rate of breastfeeding initiation than our white population. Multiple studies have demonstrated that infants who are not breastfed are at a higher risk of health problems (ear infections, intestinal and respiratory infections, obesity, diabestes, and many others.)
The Save My Life Program addresses these concerns by offering free culturally relevant classes for African-Americans in a small group or one-on-one sessions. The smaller class sizes help build trust and relationships, and has a greater impact than a larger class setting would.
Classes include: pre/interconception care, childbirth and breastfeeding education, kangaroo care, safe sleep and SIDS prevention, and parenting classes. A wide variety of topics are covered such as contraception, baby spacing, drug and alcohol use, folic acid, nutrition, STDs, how to manage pain during labor, latching techniques, douching, safe sleep environments, ages and stages of childhood development, and many, many more. In addition the Save My Life Program offers free one-on-one breastfeeding support after delivery. This is an essential component of the program as mothers typically have problems breastfeeding soon after they leave the hospital. Breastfeeding support at this critical time can be the difference between breastfeeding and deciding to quit.
In the 2012-13 fiscal year the Save My Life Program saw 180 women and provided over 300 classes (301 exactly), and 118 one-on-one breastfeeding support sessions.