INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Following a short break, the Indian River County Healthy Start Coalition (IRCHSC) has rejuvenated the fifteen-year-old Touch, Love Communicate (TLC) program that promotes bonding of families with their newborn babies.
The educational services focus on successful breastfeeding/ bottle feeding principles, home safety, newborn sleeping habits, and important milestones to look for in normal infant development for the first year of the child’s life.
Kathie Cain, Executive Director for (IRCHSC) since February, officially revised and reinstituted the program on April 1 under a cooperation agreement with the Indian River Medical Center.
“The hospital has been extremely helpful in working with us to visit with new moms in the hospital following the delivery of their child. We currently have 3 licensed lactation counselors who are trained to help all mothers with support in breastfeeding or formula feeding, safety with the infant, information about sleeping habits, and other successful tips.
This is strictly a free, volunteer program offered by an experienced staff, available to offer guidance in person, one on one, by telephone and via newsletters over the first year of the child’s life. It is the parent’s decision to meet with us, and most do. Admittedly, most of them are first time moms, but sometimes even the most seasoned mother will want a refresher,” explained Cain.
The Healthy Start Coalition is the funding agency providing the administrative oversight in making sure the program is 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.
The Coalition hopes to add another two licensed family support workers to their roster, so all moms in Indian River County will have the opportunity to experience a healthy start for their child.
“Our family support workers will also customize a program for any family who requests it. After all, no two situations are the same, and if the family wants us to provide that for them, they merely need to ask,” Cain added.
The Healthy Start Coalition office is located at 333 17th St., Ste. R, just west of the intersection at Indian River Dr. and the Alma Lee Loy Bridge.
For more information about the IRC Healthy Start Coalition and the TLC Program, please call (772) 563-9118 or visit www.IRCHealthyStart.org.