First 1,000 Days Sarasota County

Every child deserves the opportunity to thrive. First 1,000 Days Sarasota County is a collaborative effort to give our most vulnerable neighbors a better chance at life.

This new community-wide initiative, spearheaded by Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation, pulls together the resources of 32 community partner organizations to improve access to prenatal, newborn, and early childhood development care for families in our community who need it most. 

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According to research underpinning First 1,000 Days Sarasota County, the need is staggering: More than half of all babies in Sarasota County are born into poverty. These newest members of our community leave the hospital and arrive home to families struggling with financial need and often lacking stable housing, food, healthcare, and other resources to fully nurture their babies' growing bodies and brains.

But there is hope and reason to celebrate

First 1,000 Days Sarasota County celebrates the resilience of a mother determined to change the trajectory of her life and her child’s future. We see hope in the many high-quality community programs and services available to families and babies. And there is hope in the initiative's carefully researched plan to increase access to care, the coordination of services, and outreach to pregnant mothers and families in need.

Why 1,000 days? Because science shows that 80% of human brain development occurs during this critical life period — long before formal schooling begins. Babies who don’t receive proper healthcare, nutrition, early childhood education, and other key resources begin life at an immense disadvantage. Without help, many of our youngest residents will have a hard time catching up.

“The research is clear on what babies need during the critical early years of life to achieve their full developmental potential,” says Kelly Romanoff, projects manager for Barancik Foundation. “We are inspired by the dedication of our partners, the courage of the families we serve, and the commitment of our community to give all babies the best start in life.”

Coming together for babies and families

Gulf Coast is one of 32 community partners powering the First 1,000 Days Sarasota County plan. We are also accepting gifts to our First 1,000 Days Sarasota County Project Fund so more community members can invest in this important work.

To learn more about why this initiative is needed, go here.

To meet some of the families and community organizations participating, go here.