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Healthy Start expands services
By RYAN DAVIS
© St. Petersburg Times, LAND O'LAKES -- The Healthy Start Coalition of Pasco, which provides assistance to pregnant women and children, will expand this fall to increase its focus on low-income mothers to be. During the next year, as many as 1,200 Pasco women will receive support and assistance through their pregnancies, executive director John Tschirhart said at Healthy Start's meeting Thursday. A caseworker will make sure the women attend their doctor's appointments and will offer them access to a host of other programs. "These are a group of working poor that we might not have been able to serve," Tschirhart said. A new state plan calls for Pasco's Healthy Start to receive a nearly 40 percent budget increase -- up to $250,000 -- largely aimed at helping such women, Tschirhart said. The program, which starts Oct. 1, will assist women who would not otherwise qualify for Medicaid but are eligible during their pregnancies because of a 10-year-old state plan. Women covered under that plan can earn up to 185 percent of the federal poverty level. That translates to $27,065 for a family of three. The new money will come from the federal government, through the state and to Healthy Start, a private group created and funded almost entirely by the state. It serves pregnant women and children up to age 3. "We've got more money for pregnant women and children, and that's the most important thing," Tschirhart said. By subcontracting with other agencies, mainly the Pasco County Health Department, Healthy Start provides a variety of services, ranging from providing information about quitting smoking to free in-home visits, counseling and dental services. Traditionally, pregnant women qualify for the program based on health risks, such as whether they smoke or take drugs, their living condition and potential domestic violence problems. As of Oct. 1, pregnant women receiving Medicaid will automatically qualify. Healthy Start will receive the names of women on Medicaid because of their pregnancy. It will contact them and make sure they attend their doctor's appointments and follow through with the doctor's orders. The women also will have access to Healthy Start's traditional services, even after their babies are born and the Medicaid runs out. Previously, these women were eligible for Medicaid, but it was up to them to find a doctor and they did not receive case management, state officials said. Healthy Start has not decided what subcontracted agency will provide these new services, Tschirhart said. - Ryan Davis covers higher education and social services in Pasco. He can be reached at (800) 333-7505, ext. 3452.
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