Page 7 - Hobe Sound Reflections - August '23

Hobe Sound, Page 7

Good Works local

Healthy Start Issues Call For operates its free Diaper Pantry at each of these locations: governmenT

To meet the growing need, the Healthy Start Coalition
Diaper Donations the Healthy Start offices on U.S. 1 in Stuart, the Golden
Gate Enrichment Center in South Stuart, Booker Park in
Babies go through Indiantown, and the House of Hope offices in Indiantown. Martin County Tax Collector
a lot of diapers in a “We always need more diapers for the pantry,” Suffich
month. That puts a real says. “We welcome donations of diapers or dollars to help By the Honorable
strain on the budgets us with something as simple and as urgent as diapers for Ruth Pietruszewski,
of families who are a baby.” CFC
already just squeaking Any Martin County resident with a child under the Attention: New Law
by financially. A new age of 3 can enroll in the diaper pantry. For a complete Effective July 1, 2023
national report by the schedule, go to the Healthy Start website, www. In compliance with
National Diaper Bank mchealthystart.org, or call (772) 463-2888. Florida Statutes, the Florida
Network, the NDBN About Martin County Healthy Start Department of Highway
Diaper Check 2023, Martin County Healthy Start is a nonprofit organization Safety and Motor Vehicles
found that nearly dedicated to ensuring that every baby is born healthy. It (FLHSMV) has updated
one in two American provides educational and health services to pregnant Form HSMV 82040
families with babies women, new mothers and their families at no cost, Application for Certificate
a r e e x p e r i e n c i n g particularly expectant mothers who are at risk for late of Title With/Without Registration.
dif ficulties in or no prenatal care. As of July 1, HSMV 82040 has been updated into three
providing diapers for Part of a statewide coalition, Healthy Start connects separate forms:
their infants. pregnant women and young mothers with essential • HSMV 82040 MV – Application for Certificate of Motor
Martin County services including prenatal care, home visitations by a Vehicle
Healthy Start Coalition Sellian Cruz, client services nurse or social worker, breastfeeding support, parenting • HSMV 82040 VS – Application for Certificate of Vessel
staff knows that this is specialist with the Martin education, car seat and sleeping safety, a free diaper Title
true locally as well. “In County Healthy Start Coalition, pantry, and access to other community partner agencies • HSMV 82040 MH – Application for Certificate of
the past we were giving is bringing needed diaper supplies through the Betty Moore Prenatal Outreach Center. The Mobile Home Title
out 8,000 diapers a to the Healthy Start Diaper Pantry David Cardno Father and Child Resource Center, also These forms are accessible on our website at
month to families at in Indiantown. part of the Martin County Healthy Start Coalition, helps martintaxcollector.com.
the financial margins,” fathers to become more involved in parenting and offers Effective July 1, all certificates of Florida titles issued for
says Healthy Start CEO Samantha Suffich. “This spring, legal assistance to fathers who are separated from their vessels will be required to be processed using Form HSMV
we gave out a record breaking 17,000 diapers a month!” children. 82040 VS – Application for Certificate of Vessel Title. The
Families eligible for the Healthy Start Diaper Pantry The programs of Martin County Healthy Start signed Form HSMV 82041 will no longer be accepted in lieu
frequently have to decide between buying diapers or Coalition are voluntary and available to all Florida of Form HSMV 82040 VS.
paying utility bills or even putting food on the table. residents at no cost. Effective Jan. 1, 2024, all certificate of Florida titles issued
“Not being able to provide your baby with clean diapers For more information about Martin County Healthy for motor vehicles and mobile homes will be required to be
is emotionally stressful,” Suffich says, “but it also leads Start Coalition and its ongoing programs, visit www. processed using Forms HSMV 82040 MV – Application for
to health problems.” mchealthystart.org, call (772) 463-2888 or follow the Certificate of Motor Vehicle Title and HSMV 82040 MH –
The statistics from 2022 tell the story. The Martin organization on Facebook. Application for Certificate of Mobile Home Title.
County Healthy Start Coalition served 3,561 clients; If you have any questions, please call the dealer
145,000 diapers were distributed; and 507 new clients department at (772) 288-8097.
were added to the service.