VERO BEACH — Rebecca Russell-Gootee, executive director for the Indian River County Healthy Start Coalition, has officially announced that a partnership with the Indian River Medical Center’s Partners in Women’s Health has been formed to provide funding and services for two programs designed for pregnant women through the first year of their child’s life.
“We are excited to have the continued partnership with Indian River Medical Center,” said Gootee. “Providing the Partners in Pregnancy program (PIPP) and TLC Newborn through the hospital will allow us to have a continuum of service from pre to post natal. This partnership will allow us to expand the TLC program, helping to provide skilled nursing staff in the hospital and trained educators in the classroom.”
Donna Riordan, RN, MSN, MHA director, Women’s Health Care, Pediatrics & Partners in Women’s Health at Indian River Medical Center agreed. “The hospital is delighted to partner with the Healthy Start Coalition to continue to provide services to new moms and babies throughout the TLC Newborn program. The partnership will help provide education, training and support during a woman’s pregnancy, delivery and continue throughout her baby’s first year of life.”
Partners in Women’s Health is in its 4th year of providing funding through grants by the hospital district, as well as programs for those women who are pregnant. The PIPP program offers supportive information on what is happening to the pregnant body and the baby during the months of pregnancy, teaches healthy nutrition, introduce birthing choices, hospital tours, swaddling techniques and supportive birth experiences.
These programs are free and open to the public. They are held at either the hospital or at the Partners in Women’s Health offices located behind the New Vision Eye Center building at 1050 37th Pl., Ste 101/102.
The TLC Newborn program will be introduced to the participants of the PIPP classes and once the birth occurs, those new parents will segue into the TLC program at expanded classroom space at the Healthy Start Coalition offices. TLC will then provide education on the child’s growth and development, social groups, media networking, lactation support for the first year of the child’s life.
While Indian River Medical Center will provide class instructors, The Healthy Start Coalition is the funding agency providing the administrative oversight in making sure the programs are in compliance with State and Federal guidelines and that the service is being provided to satisfy the needs of the maternal child and infants in our county. Classes are open to the public and are free. The Healthy Start Coalition office is located at 333 17th St., Ste R, just west of the intersection of Indian River Dr. and the Alma Lee Loy Bridge.
While some classes are currently in session through Partners in Women’s Health, the remaining spectrum of classes will begin by late September at both locations. A brochure of classes, days, time and location is currently being developed.
For more information, please contact Partners in Women’s Health at (772) 770-611, the IRC Healthy Start Coalition at (772) 563-9118, or www.IRCHealthyStart.org.
