A Collaborative Team of Experts, Working Together to Empower Families
Founded in 1991, the Northeast Florida Healthy Start Coalition, Inc. (NEFHSC) is one of 32 organizations that comprise the Florida Association of Healthy Start Coalitions. Dedicated to improving the health and well-being of children and families, NEFHSC serves Baker, Duval, Nassau, Clay, and St. Johns counties.
Its board and committees include business leaders, healthcare providers, social workers, educators, and other professionals, all united in their mission to support individuals and families through various services. These services encompass pregnancy and newborn care, parenting education, child development, nutrition, mental health support, financial counseling, and infant safety initiatives.
Backed by the Florida Department of Health, the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration, and the Florida Department of Health and Human Resources, NEFHSC developed impactful programs such as The Magnolia Project, The Azalea Project, Healthy Start, the Nurse-Family Partnership, and Fatherhood Programs.
Ensuring Safe Pregnancies and Stable Families
The Magnolia Project focuses on enhancing women's health and well-being and improving birth outcomes by providing expectant mothers with comprehensive health and social services. The Azalea Project supports pregnant women who have experienced substance abuse, helping them access resources such as education, treatment, support services, and contraception.
The Nurse-Family Partnership connects trained medical professionals with first-time, low-income mothers in Baker and Duval counties. This evidence-based program promotes maternal and child health and addresses crime and domestic violence prevention, ensuring a safer, healthier start for families.
Equipping Fathers With Skills and Support
NEFHSC’s Fatherhood Programs include initiatives to engage and empower fathers. Fatherhood P.R.I.D.E. (Parental Responsibility for Dads Everywhere) and T.E.A.M. (Teaching, Empowering, Advocating, and Mentoring) Dad pair fathers with case managers who guide financial literacy, parenting skills, and career development. Additional offerings include the 24:7 Dad® program, an eight-week course that highlights the importance of active fatherhood; Bootcamp for New Dads, a two-hour workshop designed to build confidence in new fathers; and Fostering in 15, an online class composed of 15 modules focused on effective parenting.
NEFHSC also collaborates with community partners to extend its reach and impact. These partnerships include the Hey Mama Mobile Food Pantry, National Health Corps Florida, a doula training program, and advocacy and leadership training initiatives to build stronger communities.