Meetings are held at 9:00 a.m., the second Monday of each month, at the Thomas E. Langley Medical Center, 1489 South U.S. Highway 301, in Sumterville. To confirm the date, time, and location of the next meeting, e-mail CHS or call (352) 955-2264.
Coalition Description
Central Healthy Start was incorporated in 1992 as one of the first six coalitions in the state during the initial phase of Florida Healthy Start's development. Each of the four counties included in the coalition (Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Sumter) elected to participate in a multi-county, regional coalition after a series of local and regional meetings were held to discuss the Healthy Start program and consider the best way to respond to the opportunities of this initiative.
The Coalition maintains an open general membership that is available to all persons interested in maternal and child health. The board of directors is elected from the general membership and includes persons who represent health providers, consumers, business, community organizations, and government. The board is structured to ensure representation from all four counties. The board is responsible for establishing coalition policies, approving contracts, developing the service delivery plan, and coordinating with other community organizations. Active committees of the Coalition including the Funding Allocation Committee and the Public Awaremess Committee. Ad hoc committees and task forces are established as needed.
Central Healthy Start has established an agreement with the North Central Florida Health Planning Council (NCFHPC) to serve as fiscal agent and provide staff services. The Council is a private, non-profit organization designated as the Local Health Council for 16 counties, including the four counties in the Coalition service area. Local Health Councils are established by law and funded by contract with the Department of Health to provide regional planning, data collection and analysis, and technical services to communities as they address health problems.
Central Healthy Start contracts with the health department in each of the four counties to deliver clinical services for maternal and infant care, Healthy Start care coordination and support services, and child health care. The contracts define specific services to be provided, establish performance measures, require recordkeeping and data collection, and describe the monitoring procedures to be used by the Coalition.
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Last updated: March 8, 2001.