First 1000 Days Suncoast Reduces Stress and Positively Impacts Mental Health

May 15, 2024 | Sarasota

First 1,000 Days Suncoast is a regional initiative with a mission to support and connect families with resources during pregnancy and throughout a child’s first 1,000 days of life, when critical development occurs. It helps families find food, housing assistance, mental health services, childcare, educational opportunities, and more. With a partnership of over 90 partner organizations and technology to better connect families with resources, the initiative is building a strong web of support for parents, and served 306 clients in 2023 alone.

First 1,000 Days Suncoast has also pioneered a family navigation program as a key part of their work, ensuring that families are accessing the services they need the most. Utilizing a care coordination technology platform, called Unite Us, a family navigator connects parents with over 200 nonprofit agencies providing individualized care to meet their needs.

According to Pam Beitlich, executive director for Women and Children’s Service at Sarasota Memorial Hospital, the support of multiple community partners cultivates a collaborative and coordinated approach to serving the community.

“Through the First 1,000 Days initiative, we’ve witnessed the transformative power of compassion and collaboration,” said Pam Beitlich, executive director of Women and Children’s Services. “By providing seamless access to vital resources and unwavering support, we’ve not only improved the lives of countless new mothers and their children but also strengthened the very fabric of our community. Every milestone reached, every stress alleviated, and every healthy day gained is a testament to our collective commitment to nurturing the foundation of our future generations. Together, we’re not just shaping lives, we’re building a legacy of resilience, compassion, and hope.”

Preliminary results of the navigation program showed that there were significant improvements in support networks, perceived stress levels, and mental health outcomes after assisted by a navigator. Parents reported an 89 percent improvement in their knowledge and awareness of concrete support, as well as a 35 percent increase in perceived access to social support during times of need.

For parent Alysa Falk, a mother of three, being connected to First 1,000 Days Suncoast helped her deal with postpartum depression and other mental health challenges. Building a community with other mothers and families also helped her find a support system she didn’t previously have.

“It was a sense of feeling alone,” she said. “First 1,000 Days Suncoast helped me find others who were struggling with similar challenges. We all know it takes a village to raise a child, so it was very refreshing.”

Collaborating with Unite Us, the network streamlines the referral processes so families can be paired with assistance that most meets their needs. Data captured by Unite Us is also crucial to gaining a larger understanding of the community.

“At Unite Us, we’re proud to partner with First 1,000 Days Suncoast to leverage our technology in connecting families to vital resources. By streamlining the referral process and fostering collaboration among service providers, we’re empowering communities to deliver comprehensive support where it’s needed most. Through our innovative platform, we’re not just transforming social care delivery, we’re creating pathways to a brighter, healthier future for families during the critical early stages of life,” said Amanda Terry, Unite Us’ senior director of research and evaluation.