Create a Loving

Bond with your Little Bunny

Bonding Tips

Every child

should be well fed and well led.

Source: Sleep Right, Sleep Tight

April—June 2015

CHARLOTTE COUNTY HEALTHY START COALITION, INC.

Inside this issue:

Mother’s Day 2

April—June Calendar 3

Jello Eggs Recipe 4

Tips for Dad 5

Resources to Remember 6

Audited financial statements are prepared by the accounting firm of Dees & Dees, Port

Charlotte, Florida. A file copy of these reports may be viewed in the CCHSC offices during regu-

lar business hours by any mem-ber or their agent upon written request.

A parent’s loving touch comforts a baby, makes them feel

loved and safe. Give your baby a gentle massage. It relaxes them and promotes good sleep habits. Skin to skin contact is very soothing for a baby. Make eye contact with your baby. Eyes can be a window to

the soul. Talk to your baby. Your voice is one of their favorite sounds.

Read & sing to them every day. Mirror or mimick your baby’s movements. Play simple games like peek-a-boo or little piggy. Keeping consistent schedules can help develop a trusting relationship with your baby. A father’s touch can be just as calming as a mother’s. Some-

times dads form a special bond with the baby when handling night time feedings and diaper changes.

Annual Baby Shower

Charlotte County Healthy Start and Charlotte Behavioral Health Care will be co-hosting this year’s Annual Baby Shower in May. Attendees will receive information on breastfeeding, child care, healthy diet, immunization and the dangers of smoking. Each prenatal woman will be “showered” with new gifts for their soon-to-arrive babies.

Many thanks to Board Members, Healthy Start Care Coordinators and staff who do a fantastic job planning and coordinating this event. Special thanks to the following agencies and individuals for providing gifts and event support……Peace River Quilters Guild, Publix, Kiwanis Club of PC, BOA Sisterhood of America, Zonta Club of PG/PC, Charlotte State Bank, Riverwood Grandmas Club, Punta Gorda Housing Authority, Early Learning Coalition of FLa’s Heartland, Charlotte Co. Health Dept/WIC Program and Staywell,

Save the Date-The Giving Challenge: September 1 & 2, 2015

Meditate on your many possibilities while you have plenty of time.

The 2015 Giving Challenge is Tuesday, September 1 at noon through Wednesday, September 2 at noon.

This 24-hour online giving event has inspired citizen philanthropy for the last three years, raising more than $8 million for local organizations thanks to support from local foundations, tens of thousands of generous

donors, media partners, and hardworking nonprofit staff and volunteers.

Once again, organizations eligible to participate will have an updated profile in The Giving Partner,

Page 2 E X P E C T I N G T I M E S

Healthy Start services are provided through the generous support of the Florida

Department of Health, the Agency for Health Care

Administration and the Charlotte County United Way.

Charlotte County Healthy Start Coalition, Inc.

April National Minority Health & Child Abuse Prevention Month

3– Good Friday 5– Easter 6-12—Public Health Week 8– CCHSC General Membership Mtg, Early Learning Coalition, Port Charlotte, 8:30 a.m. 15– Tax Day Deadline 12-18– Week of the Young Child 22– Earth Day 22– Administrative Professionals Day 24-30– Infant Immunization Week 24– Arbor Day

May Healthy Vision, Arthritis Awareness & Mental Health Awareness Month

5– National Teacher’s Day 10– Mother’s Day 13 – CCHSC Board Meeting, Coalition Office, 8:30 a.m. 16– Armed Forces Day 25– Memorial Day-CCHSC office closed

June Men’s Health, Cataract Awareness & National Safety Month

10–CCHSC Board Meeting, Coalition Office, 8:30 a.m. 14– Flag Day 21– Father’s Day 21-Summer Solstice

JELLO EGGS

Pour jello in your deviled egg holder and put in the fridge. When set up put a little whipped cream on them.

Charlotte County Healthy Start Coalition, Inc.

Chair, Paula Wilman, Punta Gorda Housing Authority

Andy Herigodt, Catholic Charities

Nicole Hansen, H.O.P.E. Teen Parent Program

Chris Mashintonio, Community Representative

Sharon Mays, WIC Charlotte Co. Health Dept.

Ansley Mora, Gulfcoast South AHEC

Michael Overway, Charlotte County Homeless Coalition

Anne Sawney, Pregnancy Careline Center

Helena Sloan, Early Learning Coalition of FL Heartland

Jacquie Stevens, Community Representative

Sue Todd, Center for Abuse & Rape Emergencies

Judith Wilson, Zonta Club of Punta Gorda/Port Charlotte

STAFF

Margaret Cooper, Executive Director/QA Manager

Kathy Schoeck, Administrative Assistant

Pamela Bicking, Maternity Care Advisor

Nancy Kraus, Finance Manager

If interested in becoming an active Coalition member, please contact us at (941) 764-9700.

Page 5

Charlotte County Healthy Start Coalition, Inc. is a 501 (c) (3) Not For Profit Organization regis-tered with the State of Florida to solicit contri-butions. Contributions are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Dates to Remember:

April 8, 2015 8:30 AM—General Membership Meeting

2886 Tamiami Trail, Suite 3 Port Charlotte

May 13, 2015 8:30 AM - Board Meeting, Coalition Office, PC

17940 Toledo Blade Blvd., Unit A

June 10, 2015 8:30 AM—Board Meeting, Coalition Office, PC

17940 Toledo Blade Blvd., Unit A Port Charlotte

Board of Directors

Happy Father’s Day! TEN TIPS ON HOW DAD CAN HELP WITH THE BABY

1. Help with rocking, cuddling and comforting your crying baby. 2. Give the baby a bath.

3. Change the baby’s diaper. 4. Give baby a bottle of mom’s pumped milk. 5. Help prepare meals and snacks. 6. Help with burping whenever you can.

7. Suggest that mom take a nap while you take the baby for a walk. 8. Bring the baby to mom in the middle of the night, so she doesn’t have to get up. 9. Do you have other children? Take them out to play. They’ll feel special & mom will have alone time with the baby. 10. Take a parenting class or check out videos on parenting and fathering.

Source: Journeyworks Publishing

COALITION

CORNER

COALITION WISH LIST

Diapers (all sizes) Baby supplies

Strollers Pack & Plays

Wipes * * *

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Volunteers needed

to help with mailings and assembly

of Mom’s Tote bags.

CHARLOTTE COUNTY HEALTHY START COALITION, INC.

17940 Toledo Blade Blvd., Unit A Port Charlotte, FL 33948

Early Steps (Early Intervention)

Program………………………………...866-510-5594

Family Health Line …………………....800-451-2229

Family Resource Center …………...……..764-7070

FDLRS / Child Find.…...….….………….…..255-0808

Healthy Families of Charlotte County.....629-6477

Parent Help Line ……………………...800-352-5683

Pregnancy Careline Center..…..………..625-5576

The Help Line of Charlotte County..… …833-6555

WIC …….……………………………………..624-7210

Charlotte County Services ..…….…………...2-1-1

CHILD CARE/PRESCHOOL

Charlotte County Early Childhood Programs

Pre-K, Head Start, Early Head Start……....575-5470

Early Learning Coalition of Florida’s Heartland

Charlotte County …………….…..……..….255-1650

DeSoto County …………………..…. 863-494-5233

HEALTHY START SERVICES

Administrative Office/Coalition ………….764-9700

Breastfeeding Education (WIC)….……….624-7210

Care Coordination…….....…………………347-6460

Childbirth Education ……………….…...….347-6460

MOMCare ……………………………….…...764-9900

Parenting Education …………………….....347-6460

Pregnancy Tests

Charlotte County Health Dept……. ……..624-7200

Psychosocial Counseling ……….….……...347-6460

Smoking Cessation ………………...…...…..347-6460

Florida Quitline………...….……..…...1-877-822-6669

COMMUNITY RESOURCES & HELP LINES

Breastfeeding Help Line…………..…800-LALECHE

Counseling & Rape Emergency …….…..627-6000

Charlotte County Health Department

Port Charlotte....................……………...…624-7200

Children & Families First ..…….……..…....255-7480

Charlotte Behavioral Health Care..……..639-8300

DCF Economic Services…….………….….613-2000

RESOURCES TO REMEMBER

Phone: 941-764-9700 Fax: 941-625-1690 www.charlottecountyhealthystart.com

a Every child deserves a Healthy Start!

Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services Registration #CH13531 “A COPY OF THE OFFI-CIAL REGISTRATION AND F IN A N C I AL IN F O R -MATION MAY BE OB-TAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION

DOES NOT IMPLY EN-DORSEMENT, APPROVAL OR RECOMMENDATION

Visit our Website charlottecountyhealthystart.com

For more information regarding the

Charlotte County Healthy Start Coalition download a QRC Code reader & scan above to visit our website or call

941-764-9700.