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Florida Prenatal Screen

What is the Florida Prenatal Screen?

The Florida Prenatal Screen is a voluntary screening tool available to all expecting mothers to identify women who may benefit from home visiting services that address:

  • Health issues

  • Low birth weight

  • Pre-term birth

  • Developmental delays

Home visiting programs utilize evidence-based models to provide education and care coordination within local communities. Moms that participate in the screen can be linked to support services for assistance.

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Community Liaison

If you have any questions please reach out to our community liaison:

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Who has to be screened?

Every prenatal care provider in Florida is required, under section 383.148 of the Florida Statutes, to complete a prenatal screen at the pregnant woman’s first prenatal visit.

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By consenting to the prenatal screen, expecting moms may qualify for helpful support during and after pregnancy.

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If you are a health care provider or hospital/birthing facility and want more information on how you can ensure your compliance with Florida Statutes, call 850-245-4465.

What is the Health Care Provider’s Role?

 

  • The screen is provided online through the Florida Department of Health and requires the mother’s consent before it can be processed. Once completed, a mom may qualify for services based on her score, a provider’s referral, or self-referral.

  • Steps for Providers

    • 1. Register your facility on the new digital platform to gain access to the platform, prenatal screen, and auto mated patient emails.

    • 2. Offer the prenatal screen to every pregnant woman.​​

    • 3. Provide the screen at every mom’s first prenatal appointment.

    • 4. Encourage every mom to consent and complete the screen.

    • 5. Provide help, answers, and informational materials to help moms understand the purpose of completing the prenatal screen. 6. Review the submitted screen with moms and refer them to home visiting services

For more information, visit the Florida Department of Health webpage on the Florida Prenatal Screen

What are Healthy Start Services?

Please see more information about our services here.

Will the Healthy Start Program Contact me about the Patient?

After the Coalition has received and processed the screens, we make three attempts to contact your patient with the number provided. If we are unable to contact them, the Connect Coordinator may call to get an alternative phone number if any are on file. The Connect Coordinator will also follow up with a fax detailing the patient's acceptance or refusal of services. If they are referred to the Healthy Start Care Coordination Team, they will also follow up with you.

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The Healthy Start Care Coordinator for your patient will send you a letter with information about the client’s acceptance or refusal of the program.  The Care Coordinator may also call you if she is concerned about the client’s attendance at prenatal care appointments or is having difficulty locating the client. This personal health information sharing is allowed under HIPAA.  The Care Coordinator will call you if she has any other concerns.

What is the Difference between the Healthy Start Coalition and the Healthy Start Program?
The Healthy Start Coalition of Escambia County is a non-profit organization which helps set priorities to meet local needs in maternal and infant health.  Members of the community are invited to serve on the Coalition or any of its committees.  Our phone number is (850) 696-2291.
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The Healthy Start Program of the Department of Health in Escambia County is our sub-contractor for Care Coordination services and data management. Care Coordination is the key to service provision for Healthy Start clients.  A highly qualified staff of Registered Nurses and Health Educators assure that each client’s needs are addressed.

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All content copyright Escambia County Healthy Start Coalition, Inc.

This material is not intended to replace medical advice. Always consult your doctor with concerns or questions you have.

Sunshine Law and Public Records Caution: The Florida Government in the Sunshine Law prohibits discussion outside a duly noticed meeting between any two or more Healthy Start Coalition Board members regarding any matter that may come before the Board. This prohibition extends to discussions via e-mail. Furthermore, most e-mail communications made or received by the Healthy Start Coalition members or staff are considered public records that must be retained and, upon request, made available to the public and media.

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