The Downstate Healthy Start Program of the EOC of Nassau County, Inc. is an infant mortality reduction initiative designed to improve maternal and child health. The Healthy Start Program facilitates access to health and social services for low income women and their children in the Village of Hempstead by developing consumer involvement, providing enhanced outreach, consortium development, case management, education, referral, and follow-up services. The EOC Downstate Healthy Start Program seeks to improve maternal and child health outcomes for those most in need. Hempstead was chosen by the funding sources because of an infant mortality rate of 14.1 deaths for every 1,000 births.

The EOC Healthy Start Program made client referrals for: housing, clothing, mental health, food/nutrition, family planning, managed health care, domestic violence, PCAP, postpartum depression, FEMA, immigration, smoking cessation, the Dept. of Health, WIC and Parenting Education

EOC’s Healthy Start Consortium continued to develop partnerships amongst health and welfare service providers, businesses, legislative leaders, and community representatives.