HomeMy WebLinkAbout09-102, A
RESOLUTION NO. 09-102
A RE50LUTION URGING THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE TO
INCREASE FUNDING FOR THE COMMUNITY BASED HEALTHY
START COALITION IN ORDER TO RE~UCE INFANT DEATH
AND INCREASE THE HEALTH AN~ WELL BEING OF FLORIDA
MOTHERS THROUGH THE SERVICES AND PROGRAMMING
PROVIDED BY THE HEALTHY START COALITION
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of St. Lucie County, Florida, has made
the following determinations:
1, In 1991 Florida enacted the Healthy Start legislation that created 30 Healthy
Start coalitions to increase access to infant and prenatal care for mothers and babies around
the state.
2. He4lthy Start contributed greatly to the 2 plus point drop in Florida's infant
mortality giving us the lowest rate in the southeast.
3. Over 195,900 women and infants are screened each year through the Healthy
Start Coalitions work, to identify health risks that may jeopardize pregnancies and maternal and
infant health.
~. Florida must continue funding for the community based Healthy Start Coalition
and the programming they provide as well Medicaid funding for the mother and infants to 200%
of poverty level.
5. The Healthy Start coalitions are unique entities formed by local communities,
offering valuable services and provide a foundation for other children's services making the
HeQlthy Start services integral to the core mission of public health.
6. Healthy Start coalitions are mandated by Florida law through legislation and
Florida Administrative Code have proven effective having lever4ged last year alone a combined
total of $31,932,935 beyond the Federal match, as well as managing other maternal and child
programs.
7. Simply by closing a loophole in the state's tobacco policy, Florida can raise about
$90 million - enough money to fully fund several maternal and child programs to provide services
for Florida's pregnant women and babies.
,
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of St.
Lucie County, FloridQ:
1. This Board does here urge the Florida Legislature to increase funding for the
community based Healthy Start Coalition in order to reduce infant death and increase the health
and well being of Florida mothers through the services and programming provided by the Healthy
Start Coalition.
2. The County Administrator is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution
to Governor Charlie Crist and the County's State Legislative Delegation.
After motion and second the vote on this resolution was as follows:
Chair Paula A. Lewis AYE
Vice-Chair Charles Grande AYE
Commissioner poug Coward AYE
Commissioner Chris Dzadovsky AYE
Commissioner Chris Craft AYE
PASSED AND DULY ADOPTED this 24t" day of March, 2009.
ATTEST: BOAR~ OF COUNTY COMd'VIISSIONERS
ST. LUCIE COVNTY, FLORI~A
BY: '
CHAI
APPROVED AS TO LEGAL FORM AND
CORRECTNE55:
~ ~.
COUNTY ATTORNEY