St. Petersburg Healthy Start Federal Project

The P.A.T.R.I.C.I.A . Consortium
Pinellas African American Targeted Reduction in Infant mortality
using a Community Intervention Approach

Black babies are more than four times more likely to die by age one than
White babies and three times more likely than White babies to weigh two-and-a-half pounds or less at birth.

The St. Petersburg Healthy Start Federal Project is a joint effort between the Pinellas County Health Department and the community. It has been providing services since 1997 to African American women, children and families. The partnership is making a difference in birth outcomes in Pinellas County.

The P.A.T.R.I.C.I.A. Consortium advises the St. Petersburg Healthy Start Federal Project. The Consortium includes consumers, providers of services, community organizations and groups committed to reducing the number of babies born prematurely, the number of low birth weight babies and the number of infant deaths in our community.

 P.A.T.R.I.C.I.A. Consortium Mission Statement:

To develop and maintain a partnership that will work together to increase community awareness regarding differences in the health of mothers and babies and to inspire the community to become involved in ending the differences and improving birth outcomes.

 Our Motto:

“Rebuilding the Village, Community by Community”

 Background:

P.A.T.R.I.C.I.A. began in June 1999 with a meeting of a diverse group interested in studying existing gaps between Blacks and Whites in the number of babies who died before age one. Our vision is to work with the community to end these gaps by supporting community partnerships and programs that address the needs of women, children and families.

P.A.T.R.I.C.I.A. examines the issues and explores possible solutions, with the hope of creating changes that will improve quality of life for African American in the community. Our work is based on the belief that health status is related to many factors, including housing, education, economics, relationships and social support – and the effect that racism has on each of these. In July 2003, P.A.T.R.I.C.I.A. became the Consortium to the St. Petersburg Healthy Start Federal Project.

Get involved! Make a difference! We recognize and respect the strengths of the Black family and welcome the opportunity to work with the community to save the lives of Black babies.

Our group meets on the third Wednesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. in the community room at James Weldon Johnson Library, 1059 18th Avenue South in St. Petersburg. Please join us and learn more about P.A.T.R.I.C.I.A. You can be a part of a national effort to prevent Black babies from dying.

For more information, please contact us:
(727) 896-2677 or 824-6900 ext. 11249

PATRICIA Consortium Flyer

Year 2008:

• February 20, 2007 (370kb - pdf)

Year 2007:

• October 1, 2007 (186kb - pdf)
• September 19, 2007 (1026kb - pdf)

PATRICIA Newsletter

• February - March 2007 (717kb - pdf)

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