Century Healthy Start Program Growing, Expanding To Former Health And Hope Location

January 8, 2016

The Escambia County Commission has agreed to lease the former Health and Hope Clinic building to the Escambia County Healthy Start Coalition.

The Health and Hope Clinic in Century closed and moved out of the county-owned building at 501 Church Street last fall. Now, the Century Healthy Start location will expand from next door at 511 Church Street to the former Health and Hope building, which Healthy Start will lease for $1 per year from the county.

“Great things are happening in Century,” Healthy Start Century Office Manager Laura Nelson said. “We are going to do so much more from the new building and continue help more and more women and children in Century.”

Each month, the Women, Infant and Children nutrition program (WIC) is currently seeming over 120 clients — preganant women and children up to age five. When the current Healthy Start location opened in Century, WIC planned to be in Century just one Tuesday per month. In August, they increased to two times month, resulting in the increase of over 30 clients.

Healthy Start nurses and social workers see pregnant women and parents of children up to age 3 at the Century Healthy Start clinic, often in conjunction with a WIC appointment, to provide them with education and support services including parenting, smoking cessation, and referrals to other community agencies for substance abuse treatment, nutrition counseling, and other critical services.

Jay pediatrician Dr. Marian Stewart will begin providing pediatric services the third Wednesday of every month beginning January 20 at the Century Healthy Start location. Patients can call Jay office at (850) 675-4546 now for an appointment.

Through a grant the Healthy Start Coalition received from the March of Dimes, the Coalition partnered with the OB residency program at the University of Florida (formerly with FSU), to provide prenatal and interconception care beginning in February.

In addition, Nelson is onsite daily to provide walk-ins with information on food bank assistance, and to assist clients with accessing needed services online. For more information, call Nelson at (850) 619-1469.

Healthy Start plans to move into their new, larger location in early February.

Pictured: Thanks to Escambia County, the Healthy Start Coalition Century is moving from 511 Church Street (pictured below) to the former Health and Hope Clinic located next door at 501 Church Street. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Comments

4 Responses to “Century Healthy Start Program Growing, Expanding To Former Health And Hope Location”

  1. Richard Tompkins on January 9th, 2016 9:10 pm

    And what healthcare options do the poor men and older childless women turn to for help?

  2. just saying on January 9th, 2016 7:54 pm

    It’s a crying shame they closed the health&hope so much for us people who really needed them I know the have a Pensacola one but that’s so far for alot of people to have to go thanks health&hope for trying

  3. Theresa Chmiel on January 9th, 2016 11:23 am

    We are so excited to increase our capacity to serve more clients. We will continue to operate WIC and other services at our primary, current location at 511 Church Street while offering additional services at the 501 Church Street location. Thank yo to the County Commiission and the City of Century for your continued support of the Healthy Start Coalition.

  4. Crystal Criswell on January 8th, 2016 6:17 am

    Way to go Laura and all of the other staff!!!!

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News