On behalf of all of us at Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies of Broward County we wish you and yours a very happy, healthy, and joyous holiday season.

Warm regards,
Kathy Dunbar
Executive Director

   Contact Babette at
(954) 765-0550 ext 316
or via email

HMHB welcomes Babette Ferre-Kosar as our new
Director of Development

We're pleased to announce that Babette Ferre-Kosar has joined the HMHB team as our new Director of Development, where she will assist us in cultivating new donor streams and fundraising events. Additionally, she will work with program managers and the marketing department to develop awareness campaigns for the various services we provide.

“To say we are thrilled to have Babette join our team at Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies would be an understatement,” stated Executive Director, Kathy Dunbar. “As a mother of four, with an extensive background in family law, fundraising, and community service, we’re confident of the impact she’ll make on our mission to provide education and resources to the community in order to reduce the number of infant deaths in Broward County.” 

If you would like to extend a welcome to Babette, feel free to give her a call or drop and email to BFerre-Kosar@HMHBBroward.org

A Baby Step for Healthy Babies
Give A  Gift That Keeps On Giving When You Shop The HMHB Holiday Mall

At Healthy Mother's, Healthy Babies Coalition of Broward County we know the greatest gift one can receive is the gift of a healthy child. Unfortunately, many expectant mothers don't get this opportunity as, on average, the rate of fetal and infant mortality in Broward alone affects 300 each year.

Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies is committed to changing this in the hopes that a parent or caregiver does not have to experience the pain of losing a child. You too can make a difference.

This holiday season we hope you will consider shopping the HMHB Holiday Mall - packed with thousands of great gift-giving items from nearly 100 popular stores. By simply taking a baby step to access these stores through the HMHB web site, a percentage of every sale will support our programs at no additional cost to you.

If you are looking for a special gift for yourself, Sara Mique Boutique  in Coconut Creek has pledges to donate 20% of her sales to HMHB for the month of December when her customers mention HMHB upon checkout at her showroom, located at 4800 W. Hillsboro Boulevard, Suite B6, Coconut Creek, FL 33073.  For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 800.338.6636.

Service Spotlight: Best For Broward Babies
Delivering Solutions. Delivering Support. Delivering Success.

In November, HMHB began the year-long Best for Broward Babies (B4BB) awareness campaign,  which is generously being funded by the National Center for Chronic Disease and Health Promotion and the Broward County Human Services Department Community Partnerships Division. 

The call to action, and targeted intervention aimed to reduce fetal and infant mortality amongst Broward’s African-American and Caribbean-American residents, was based on the shocking results of our FIMR review indicating

• Black babies in Broward County are dying at a rate of 2:1 over white babies, and
• 40% of all fetal and infant deaths in Broward County were deemed preventable

Since data also showed a greater commitment and acceptance of information occurs when convenient access is available to professional, spiritual and peer educators, as well as a stable family support system, B4BB committee is rallying the community to develop a County-wide support network.

To help deliver the message, and ultimately drive successful birth outcomes, a grassroots marketing campaign will begin early January 2011.  Now that the establishment of a logo (at left) and key messaging have been approved, the dedicated web site, resource materials, and advertising campaign are soon to follow.

We will keep you abreast of all our efforts, including the launch of the B4BB Facebook Page on December 13, and the first of two Father Mentorship Seminar Series scheduled to begin in January. 

Seasons Eatings
Holiday Parties and Pregnancy, Some Tips To See You Through

    Learning what to eat while pregnant is confusing enough without having to
    navigate the festive party circuit and lavish family dinners. However, a
    pregnant woman should approach the holiday season just as one who is not;
    by making sensible decisions about the foods she chooses and allowing for an
    occasional indulgence. Not only will it help fend off unnecessary weight gain,
    which we all try to avoid, but it will greatly contribute to the health of you
    baby when he or she is born.

    If you are pregnant or nursing it is unavoidable there are going to be foods
    you just have to avoid, which is why we have prepared a list of suggestions
    on our Facebook Page to help you navigate buffet table and leave you
    satisfied.

NBC 6 Trina Robinson (l),
pictured with HMHB Executive Director, Kathy Dunbar, will once again host the Mothers Day celebration in May

2011 Mothers Day Celebration Planning Underway
Call for Nominees begins Friday, December 3

We are pleased to announce our call for nominations for the 19^th Annual Mothers Day Celebration. The annual luncheon, which will take place on Friday, May 6, 2011 at the Hyatt Regency Pier 66, celebrates better health for mothers and babies, while raising much-needed funds to support our mission to reduce fetal and infant death through education and access to resources.

“It’s an honor for us to have the opportunity to recognize individuals within the community who exemplify the qualities of outstanding parenthood; such as, kindness, caring, sacrifice and generosity,” stated HMHB Director of Development, Babette Ferre-Kosar. “We are looking for mothers, fathers and guardian families, who go beyond their responsibilities as parents and citizens, and have an impact on the well-being of our children.”

Those interested in nominating a loved one or friend as a Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies of Broward 2011 Outstanding Mother or Father of the Year may visit www.HMHBBroward.org to download a nomination package, or call (954) 765-0550 to obtain more information. Completed nomination forms are due by January 5, 2011, for committee review; honorees recognized at the Mothers Day luncheon will be announced in early March.

Thanks-4-Giving

Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies of Broward appreciates your support to help Broward County babies get the start in life they deserve.  Through your tax-deductible contribution we are able to provide expectant mothers access to the necessary prenatal care, to ensure healthy fetal development, and new parents training to learn the skills on how to surround their baby with a safe and nurturing environment.

Your contribution can do so much!

• $ 25         Provides oral health supplies to 1 mother to reduce the risk
                    of premature birth
• $ 50        Provides a breast feeding pump and kit to a new mother
• $ 100     Allows for 2-hours of maternal depression counseling
• $ 150      Provides bereavement counseling to a family suffering loss.
• $ 250      Helps 3 pregnant women pay for medication they can't afford
• $ 500      Buys diapers, blankets and nursery supplies for 10 babies.
• $ 1,000  Feeds 10 babies and mothers for a week.
• $ 1,500  Gives 15 new families parenting training.
• $ 2,000  Provides transportation to well-baby care for 200 babies.
• $ 2,500  Buys 30 Pack ‘N Play cribs for babies to have a safe place to
                     sleep.
• $ 5,000  Assists 50 pregnant women/teens with early prenatal care.