For Hometown news
INDIAN RIVER COUNTY - The Indian River County Healthy Start Coalition works to provide a healthy start for all area pregnant women and infants. To that end, one of their free programs, Healthy Families-IRC, manages parenthood stress with home visitations, encouraging parent/child interaction, as well as offering community resources and activities for families and children.
The agency, located in new offices at 333 17th St., Suite O in Vero Beach, is in need of some office and other supplies to assist staff while visiting homes of families in the county.
Their wish list includes: two desk top computers, gas cards for staff, prepaid cell phones for staff, pack and plays, baby gates, safety items (outlet covers, cabinet locks, door latches, etc.), developmental, age- appropriate toys for ages 0-24 months, incentive gifts for families (raffle items), car repairs for staff, oil changes for staff, one office chair with wheels, lunch for staff once a month, gift cards for refreshments for quarterly play groups, contact paper (colorful) and colorful duct tape.
Healthy Families-IRC is a free, voluntary home visiting program for expecting and new parents.
Trained family support workers offer weekly home visits and help parents manage the stressors of being new parents. Services are initiated during pregnancy or shortly after the birth of the baby and can continue for up to five years.
Healthy Families is a free program of the IRC Healthy Start Coalition and is sponsored by Healthy Families Florida in partnership with the Ounce of Prevention Fund of Florida and the Department of Children and Family.
Those wishing to donate these or any other related items may call (772) 778-1323.