13th Annual Healthy Start Baby Shower Celebration

“Precious and Priceless”

SHIELDS for Families Healthy Start Program
Healthy Start provides services to the communities most at-risk in order to lower high rates of infant mortality and low birth weight while improving the health of pregnant and parenting women with children 0-2 years of age.

SHIELDS for Families was granted a Healthy Start Program in 1998 and is now one of 105 programs in the nation. SHIELDS Healthy Start program is unique due to the fact we are the “only”

Healthy Start program that specifically serves substance abusing pregnant and parenting women.

SHIELDS Healthy Start has also made significant strides in decreasing disparities in the health of mothers and infant that have experiences racial and ethnic challenges faced in urban communities.

Healthy Start core services include:

• Outreach and Recruitment
• Comprehensive Case Management
• Depression Screening
• Health Education
• Child Development Services
• Community Consortium

SHIELDS Healthy Start Program also provides an on-site early intervention substance abuse treatment program and child development center.

The Baby Shower is an annual SHIELDS Healthy Start event to honor and celebrate the Healthy Start clients that have remained compliant during the last program year. Working with their Case Manager all clients strive to attend their prenatal and post-partum appointments, regular well-women health appointments, ensure their children receive their immunization schedule (on time), complete their family service plan, attend all mental health appointments, participate in the Edinburgh Depression Scale, participate in administering the Denver II and Ages & Stages developmental screenings, in addition to many other services.

This year 40 clients were “showered” with gifts, individual trophies & plaques, gift baskets, and a special “SHIELDS for Families” Baby Bag filled with goodies.

A wonderful meal was enjoyed by all with fun-filled games and certificates awarded as part of the festivities. 

Kudos to the entire Healthy Start Staff! Thank you for your ongoing commitment and dedication for our families!