Okeechobee Healthy Start Coalition

19/10/2026

Access to prenatal care should not depend on how far a family can travel.

In Okeechobee, limited local maternity care, transportation barriers, and the need to travel outside the county can make pregnancy harder for many families.

That is why local coordination matters.

Through community partnerships, MOM Mobile, referrals, care coordination, home visiting, doula support, and family-centered education, Okeechobee Healthy Start Coalition (OHSC) is helping families stay connected to care and resources close to home.

National reports show that access to maternity care remains a serious challenge across the country. In Okeechobee, OHSC is helping turn that national issue into local action.

Prenatal care close to home is not just a phrase; it is a commitment to families.

On December 1, OHSC will participate in Giving Tuesday, a global day of generosity. This year’s campaign, Prenatal Care Close to Home, focuses on strengthening the local support system families rely on every day.

If you have questions about the MOM Mobile or would like to book an appointment at no cost, call (772) 410-4114

16/10/2026

At our Pregnancy & Infant Loss Candlelight Vigil, families and community members gathered at Centennial Park to light candles and remember babies gone too soon. 💜🕯️

Thank you to every family who allowed us to remember with you, and to everyone who came to stand beside someone they love.

A heartfelt thank-you to our speakers, Eduarda Anselmo and Brianna Garcia, for sharing your stories. We also want to recognize Isabel Hernandez and Jasmine Lattimore, who found the courage to speak during our ceremony. Sharing something so personal isn’t easy, and we are grateful to each of you for allowing us to listen, remember, and honor your babies alongside you.

Thank you to everyone who helped make this evening possible and created a welcoming space for families to remember.

The photos capture moments from the evening, but they cannot show all the love and memories each person brought with them.

To those who could not attend, your babies are remembered, too. 💜

16/10/2026

A quick Cover That Pumpkin reminder! 🎃 Our collection boxes are out around Okeechobee, and we’re working toward our goal of 20,000 diapers for local families.

If you’re shopping this week, consider picking up a pack of diapers and dropping it off at one of these locations:

• Okeechobee County Public Library
• Lollie Hamper
• A Child’s World
• World Class Academy
• Okeechobee Tag Office
• Moose Lodge North 1753
• Kay’s Lace
• Okeechobee City Hall
• Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Office
• Vogue Aesthetics
• Little Threads & Co
• Everglades Pediatric Dentistry

Newborn diapers and sizes 3, 4, 5, and 6 are especially needed. Every pack helps! 💛

You can also send diapers through our Walmart Registry:
https://www.walmart.com/registry/RR/58fc79e1-c61f-443b-b06d-b7a3d0c0fe8d

Or make a donation to the drive:
https://givebutter.com/HSDiaperDrive2026

15/10/2026

If you have a baby you’d like to remember, we would be honored to have you with us. 💜🕯️

During Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, we invite you to join Okeechobee Healthy Start Coalition for our Candlelight Vigil on October 15 at 6 PM at Centennial Park.

We’ll gather as a community to light candles, remember babies gone too soon, and stand alongside the families who love them. Some may want to share a memory. Others may simply want to be there quietly. There is no right way to remember, and you do not have to come alone.

Whether you’ve experienced a loss or want to support someone close to you, you are welcome. We hope this evening gives every family a moment to feel their baby is remembered. 💜

13/10/2026

During Fiscal Year 2025–2026, Okeechobee Healthy Start Coalition helped connect families to care, education, referrals, and essential support:

781 women and babies were referred to the Connect program
296 clients received Healthy Start home visiting services
2,631 home visits were conducted
20,403 diapers were provided to families
93 clients were referred to doula services
70 breastfeeding sessions supported moms and babies
52 car seats helped families travel safely

These numbers represent more than services - they represent parents asking questions, babies receiving support, and families finding help close to home. They also reflect care coordinators showing up week after week, doulas guiding families through birth, and parents gaining confidence as they learn how to support their children.
This year, OHSC is working to raise $15,000 through the Prenatal Care Close to Home campaign to help sustain the education, referrals, care coordination, and community connections that Okeechobee families rely on during pregnancy and early parenting.

Support can take many forms - some people will give, some will share the campaign, and some will introduce OHSC to a business, faith community, healthcare partner, or family member who cares about healthy families and local access to care.

As we move toward Giving Tuesday, we invite you to think about who in your network may share this commitment.

A gift helps move the work forward. A thoughtful introduction can help more people understand why this work matters for Okeechobee families.

13/10/2026

Come see us!!!

🎃🍂 You’re invited to our annual Floating Pumpkin Patch! 🍂🎃

Join us for a warm, family-friendly evening of swimming, pumpkin picking, decorating, and free books! We can't wait to see you there for this wonderful yearly tradition.

📅 Saturday, October 24, 2026
⏰ 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
📍 Sports Complex Pool (640 NW 27th Lane, Okeechobee, FL)

Bring your swimsuits and your loved ones for a wonderful night together!

12/10/2026

Some babies are with us for only a short time, but they are loved for a lifetime. 💜🕯️

On October 15 at 6 PM, Okeechobee Healthy Start Coalition will gather at Centennial Park for our Pregnancy & Infant Loss Candlelight Vigil. We’ll light candles in remembrance of babies gone too soon and make space for the families who carry them in their hearts.

If you are remembering a baby, or would like to be there for someone who is, please join us. We would be grateful to share this evening with you.

10/10/2026

As a first-time father, Geromy knew he could use support.

Through T.E.A.M. Dad, he learned new ways to communicate with his children, guide them, and better understand their perspective.

“One thing that surprised me about the program is how to communicate and think from a kid’s point of view,” he shared.

That kind of support matters.

T.E.A.M. Dad helps fathers and father figures build confidence, strengthen relationships, and become more engaged in their children’s lives.

When fathers have tools, encouragement, and a place to ask questions, families are stronger.

To learn more about the Fatherhood Program and to see if you are eligible for services, contact our CONNECT Intake Specialist at (863) 462-5877

09/10/2026

Please join us in giving a warm welcome to the newest members of our Healthy Start team, Lacy Granados and Jordan Ketcham! 💛🎉

We’re so excited to have them on board and can’t wait to see the amazing things they’ll bring to our team and the families we serve!

08/10/2026

For families who have experienced pregnancy or infant loss, October is a chance to say their baby’s name, share their story if they wish, and know their community remembers them. 💜

Today, the Okeechobee Board of County Commissioners presented Okeechobee Healthy Start Coalition with a proclamation recognizing October as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. We are grateful for this recognition and for the opportunity to bring more attention to families living with loss.

On October 15 at 6 PM, we invite families, friends, and neighbors to join us at Centennial Park for our Pregnancy & Infant Loss Candlelight Vigil. Whether your loss was recent or many years ago, you are welcome to come remember your baby. Those who want to stand beside a family are welcome, too. 🕯️