Healthy Start, a Louisiana nonprofit, now offers free guidance and support to St. Charles Parish residents before, during and after pregnancy.
The program follows caregivers until the child is 18 months old, providing support in postpartum recovery, maternal mental wellness and child development milestones. It also helps families establish connections to child care, health care and community resources.
Sherry Wilmore, an outreach coordinator for Healthy Start, said the program focuses on improving outcomes for mothers and babies by looking at the full picture.
“That means not only connecting families to health care, but also helping with things like transportation, access to food, stable housing, education and parenting support – factors that directly influence how families are able to care for themselves and their children,” Wilmore said.
Louisiana has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the United States, with pregnant women facing significantly higher risks of death during pregnancy or shortly after childbirth compared with the national average. The St. Charles Parish Council recently introduced a proclamation recognizing Black Maternal Health Week, observed annually April 11-17, to raise awareness of disparities in pregnancy and childbirth outcomes for Black women.
Wilmore said the Healthy Start program has no age or income restrictions, and it recognizes the vital role fathers play during pregnancy and beyond.
“Fathers do not have to wait until the child is born to be involved – they can begin participating in our fatherhood services right away to gain education, support, and connection during that journey,” Wilmore said.
The program follows the child, which means any caregiver who has custody can qualify for assistance.
“All of those options are available to anyone who’s parenting or having a child,” Wilmore said. “We also understand that families look different for every child. Not every household fits a traditional mold, and that’s okay. We support whoever is actively parenting and caring for the child.”
The program helps parents purchase cribs, diapers, wipes, formula and other items through an incentive program. By attending doctor’s appointments and actively participating in the program, caregivers can earn points toward baby items.
“The only thing that we ask is that you will be a willing participant in our program,” Wilmore said. “That’s the only requirement.”
Wilmore said Healthy Start walks with parents through the pregnancy and after birth because studies show that help during the early postpartum period improves outcomes dramatically.
“Ensuring that the mother is mentally well, ensuring that the mother is physically well and ensuring the baby is well improves outcomes during what we call the fourth trimester,” Wilmore said.
Supporting families until the child is 18 months is also intentional, Wilmore said.
“The first 18 months are a period of rapid growth – not just for the baby, but for the entire family,” she said. “During that time, parents are navigating everything from feeding and sleep routines to returning to work, managing stress and building stable environments for their children.”
The program helps educate parents on safe sleep practices and proper car seat use. Parents can also expect guidance on nutrition, especially when mothers are dealing with pregnancy complications like gestational diabetes. Caregivers can also receive mental health support.
“We are a support along the way,” Wilmore said. “While you are parenting and while you’re pregnant, we are the village.”
She encouraged parents to register for the program early in pregnancy. More information is available at startcorp.org.
“We see a great benefit because the mother feels that she has support, the father feels supported and the child feels supported,” Wilmore said. “The child has that extra love and attention and the things that they need.”
Parents do not have to be married or together to receive support. The program is a no-cost, federally funded program that is open to everyone.
“At the end of the day, Healthy Start is about making sure every family – no matter their situation – can start strong and continue strong,” Wilmore said.
Healthy Start is a part of the services offered in St. Charles Parish by START Corporation. Founded in 1984, START now operates in 18 parishes across Louisiana. Its mission is to promote opportunities that enhance self-sufficiency and empower people to live and function independently.
“Most importantly, we work to support each community’s unique needs through holistic support, regardless of the ability to pay,” Wilmore said.
The work is personal for Wilmore, who grew up in foster care with her twin sister.
“I understand what it means to be taken care of by others,” she said. “I am a big supporter of not making people feel ashamed when they need help. I was a person who needed help, and now I am the person who gives the very help that I once needed. And so if we give help in love and with the right intentions, it always comes back to us.”
Wilmore is also the co-founder of CHeriSH Times Two, a nonprofit focused on empowering vulnerable populations – particularly youth transitioning out of foster care – by providing resources, mentorship and support during life transitions. For Wilmore, programs like Healthy Start are important because they create a ripple effect that leads to better communities.
“When you become the person who cares and the person who gives back, then we have a more caring society,” she said. “And I believe that when we do this work, we are the ripple.”