First 1,000 Days Suncoast Steering Committee

September 13, 2024 | Sarasota

First 1,000 Days Suncoast has welcomed six new community leaders to their Steering Committee.

First 1,000 Days Suncoast is a community initiative that helps families during pregnancy and their child’s first 1,000 days of life, when 80 percent of child brain development occurs. Partnerships with more than 90 nonprofit organizations and health care providers creates a seamless network of free and affordable services to give families the support they need to ensure every child has a strong start in life.

The committee’s goals include enhancing community engagement and awareness of First 1,000 Days Suncoast by acting as champions of their mission and providing guidance for both long and short-term goals. This ensures First 1,000 Days Suncoast projects are developed in coordination with region-wide health policy and planning efforts.

The committee is comprised of 15 individuals: parent advisors from Sarasota, Manatee, and DeSoto counties, representatives from Sarasota Memorial Health Care System and the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation, and 10 rotating non-profit representatives. The six new members have rotated into their positions.

The new committee members include:

· Carla Johanns, Chief Program Officer, Forty Carrots Family Center.

· Ashley Coone, Chief Executive Officer, Links to Success.

· Jordan Mayer, Director of Family & Young Adult Services, Harvest House.

· Abby Olsen, Director of Women and Children’s Services, Sarasota Memorial Hospital – Sarasota.

· Sara Oleson, Associate Executive Director, Healthy Start Coalition of Sarasota County.

According to First 1,000 Days Suncoast Manager Dr. Chelsea Arnold, DNP, APRN, the committee is crucial to bringing collaboration, advocacy, and strategic guidance to the initiative.

“The steering committee began as a small advisory group to support our efforts as we built the foundation. It has now grown to be a robust group of rotating parent and professional leaders from various sectors. I am excited for these new members that have unique expertise, experience, and perspectives to join our incredibly talented group,” Dr. Arnold said.

Steering Committee member appointments are for two years and they can serve two consecutive terms if determined necessary by other committee members. After two terms, seats are rotated to welcome new members.

Steering committee Co-Chair and Senior Vice President of the Charles and Margery Barancik Foundation Kelly Romanoff praised the committee, calling their contributions invaluable to the goal of providing the highest levels of service.

“First 1,000 Days Suncoast is successful because we have so many committed and passionate individuals who want the absolute best for their communities. It’s a pleasure and honor to serve with those who are so incredibly dedicated to our mission,” Romanoff added.