Interdisciplinary Journal of Partnership Studies

First 1,000 Days Suncoast: Regional Initiative Transforming Care for Babies and Their Families

Chelsea Arnold

Sarasota Memorial Health Care System

Kelly Romanoff

Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation

Mary O'Connor

Sarasota Memorial Health Care System

Pam Beitlich

Sarasota Memorial Health Care System

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24926/ijps.v10i2.5631

Keywords: community partnerships, care coordination, technology-community partnerships, people with lived experience, protective factors, social determinants of health, healthcare initiative, social drivers of health

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Abstract

A child’s first 1,000 days are a period of rapid brain development; negative environments and stressful events can impact their lifelong health, well-being, resiliency, and prosperity. First 1,000 Days Suncoast is a tri-county initiative in southwest Florida comprising 90 partner organizations supporting families and babies by connecting them with resources and tools through a large and comprehensive network. Following the Collective Impact model, the region’s public community hospital was designated as the backbone organization, with a nurse-led team guiding the operations. A steering committee, with leaders of regional nonprofits and foundations, ensures tactical alignment with county priorities, and has been key in building a strong partner infrastructure. Three key components guide the activities of the initiative: care coordination; parent empowerment; and targeted interventions. Through collaboration with community professionals and parents, the initiative identifies the most pervasive barriers to care for families and develops innovative solutions. This method has led to system-wide transformations, organization-specific enhancements, and process improvements.