Three nonprofits move to new space

VERO BEACH - Three nonprofit agencies that work to educate children and families, and keep them healthy, have moved into adjoining space at 1555 Indian River Blvd., Vero Beach.

The Indian River County Healthy Start Coalition purchased the 12,000 square feet of offices on the second floor of the Bridgewater Office Building. Joining them in 3,000 square feet of the space are the new administrative offices of Treasure Coast Community Health, and The Kindergarten Readiness Collaborative.

“We were bulging at the seams at our former 17th Street office, which necessitated our move,” said Andrea Berry, Chief Executive Officer for Healthy Start. “With the expansion of our programs, we really needed more space for our moms and their babies. Our entire team is now together in one space, under one roof, making us totally accessible to our community of moms and their babies.”

Healthy Start provides five programs for Indian River County families: MomCare, Healthy Families, Healthy Start Health Education Services, Babies & Beyond, and Parents as Teachers. Those programs will now be able to spread out in the larger new space, with room for meetings and classes.

The Kindergarten Readiness Collaborative is part of the Moonshot Moment, which aims to have 90 percent of third grade students in the county reading at grade level by 2018. The group seeks to prepare children for kindergarten by focusing on social, emotional, and physical health, and cognitive, communicative, and adaptive learning.

According to the KRC website: “Our vision is for every parent, regardless of income or zip code, to have the knowledge and tools they need to raise healthy and productive people. We believe parents are a child’s first teacher, and they can raise smart babies through simple, every day interactions.”

The KRC moved to the new space on Dec. 1. The new offices will be the focal point for the group’s meetings, focus groups, research, and parent input, seeking to channel those elements into local strategies. The collaborative includes 40 social service organizations, foundations, funders and child care providers.

Treasure Coast Community Health moved its administration into the new space on Jan. 1. As a Community Health Center, the nonprofit TCCH is part of a system that serves more than 25 million Americans. TCCH provides medical, dental and behavioral health services for one out of eight Indian River County residents.

TCCH services are available to all regardless of ability to pay. TCCH accepts Medicare, Medicaid, HMOs, Healthy Kids, and most private insurances. Sliding fee discounts are available for patients with limited resources.

All three organizations will welcome the public to an open house with refreshments and handouts on Jan. 18, 4-6 p.m. A Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting will be at 5:15 p.m.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for all pregnant moms, Healthy Start clients, neighbors and friends to attend, meet our staff, and participate in hands-on activities that will show what Healthy Start does,” said Ms. Berry.

For more information about the open house or the Healthy Start Coalition, call (772) 563-9118 or visit www.irchealthystartcoalition.org.

For more information about Treasure Coast Community Health, call (772) 257-8224 or visit www.tcchinc.org.

For more information about The Kindergarten Readiness Collaborative, call (772) 617-4350 or visit www.krcirc.org.