2011 Press Briefing

On September 12, 2011, at a National Press Club briefing, we released our newest publication, Saving Our Nation's Babies: The Impact of the Federal Healthy Start Initiative. The publication tells the story of Healthy Start from its inception in 1991, initiated as a five-year demonstration project with 15 urban and rural projects funded, to its current successes 20 years later with 105 federally-funded Healthy Start projects in 39 states, Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia.

Dr. Mary Wakefield, HRSA Administrator, spoke of the importance and impact of Healthy Start over the last 20 years.

Beverly Wright, Branch Chief, DHSPS, brought greetings from the Maternal and Child Health Bureau.

Mr. Billy West spoke of his experiences as a Consumer at Baltimore Healthy Start.

Panelists spoke on the Effectiveness of Healthy Start. Pictured, starting  from the left: Julius Dasmariñas, MS, MA, MPhil, Northern Manhattan Perinatal Partnership; Rebecca Coughlin, MPH, Michigan Department of Community Health; and Hamisu Salihu MD, PhD,University of South Florida.

NHSA Board of Directors President-Elect Alma Roberts and President Lo Berry.

NHSA Executive Director Stacey Cunningham and Government Relations Consultant Jon Terry.