IMPACT

We’re thrilled to unveil our brand-new Look-Book! Dive into our mission, vision, initiative, staff, regional partners, success stories, and so much more.

This is your go-to resource to discover how we’re supporting our community and why the first 1,000 days of a child’s life-when 80% of brain development happens-are crucial.

CLICK HERE to view!

First 1000 Days featured in Professional Case Management Journal

Initiative Manager Dr. Chelsea Arnold and Coordinator Janice Houchins were recently published in the Professional Case Management Journal. Their article “Multidisciplinary Meetings Build Community Partnerships, Increase Knowledge, and Support Professionals” highlights the use of the Collective Impact Model, and the wide-ranging impacts of community partnerships. 

The article also provides a deep dive into the crucial role Navigators play in helping families access complex social and healthcare systems.

Focus is also on Navigator Workgroups, and how this initiative, launched by First 1,000 Days, helps to provide a platform for multidisciplinary professionals to share insights, build relationships, enhance their understanding of available resources, and reduce professional burnout. 

“We are blessed to have so many willing to work together for the benefits of families. When First 1,000 Days asked for help with the parent focus groups, eleven organizations immediately say YES! What a beautiful example of collaboration and commitment to amplifying parent voice.” - Janice Houchins, Initiative Coordinator

This brief highlights lessons learned from the Parent Focus Groups we were able to hold in 2024. There was a total of 101 participants over 11 different focus groups, hosted by different partner organizations, including The Florida Center for Early Childhood, Mothers Helping Mothers, Harvest House, SOLVE Maternity Homes, Lightshare, Children First, DeSoto County Schools, Manatee Memorial Hospital MoMMs program, Carenet Manasota, and First 1,000 Days Parent Advisory Committee.

Topics include:

  • Parents’ Dreams for Themselves and Their Children

  • Community Barriers

  • Supports Parents Need to Reach Their Dreams

  • Parent Leadership Goals & Barriers

First 1,000 Days featured in Interdisciplinary Journal of Partnership Studies

Initiative Manager Dr. Chelsea Arnold; Kelly Romanoff of the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation; Mary O’ Connor and Pam Beitlich of the SMH Care System were recently published in the Interdisciplinary Journal of Partnership Studies. Their article “First 1,000 Days Suncoast: Regional Initiative Transforming Care for Babies and Their Families” highlights the importance of the partnerships First 1,000 Days has and the impact they have on the community. 

“I Felt Supported, Empowered, and Encouraged”: Early Findings from a Community Initiative to Strengthen and Support Families Through the First 1,000 Days of Life

This article is an evaluation of the First 1,000 Days Suncoast Family Navigation program aimed to describe the social needs of families in Southwest, Florida and measure the program’s impact on client-reported mental health and social support outcomes. 538 parents who submitted online assistance request forms were sampled during this evaluation.

Learn More

  • If you or your organization would like to join our partnership or volunteer to support First 1,000 Days Suncoast, visit our Get Involved Page here.

  • First 1,000 Days operates on charitable contributions. Your gift will make existing services more accessible to families and help all children reach their potential. Click here to donate now!

  • From the third trimester of pregnancy through babies’ second birthday, human brains undergo a period of rapid growth. During the first 1,000 days of life, children are hardwired in ways that have lifelong consequences.

    Fortunately children are resilient if they have the supports to help them thrive. Babies who have healthcare, good nutrition, stable homes, loving relationships and early childhood education start life with a strong foundation for success.

    Our work is guided by industry-leading science and inspired by the courage of the families we serve. Learn more by visiting our Why It Matters page here.

  • Each year, First 1,000 Days Suncoast reviews barriers facing families in our region. The team facilitates workgroups, comprised of community partners and parents with lived experience, to develop innovative solutions. The results of those workgroups, in-depth data and our annual reports are available HERE.