The Magnolia Project is a special federally-funded Healthy Start initiative to improve the health and well-being of women during their childbearing years (15–44 years old) as well as fathers/partners in five Duval County ZIP codes (32208, 32209, 32210, 32211 and 32277) by empowering communities to address social determinants of health, toxic stress, poverty and social inequity with family, community, health/medical and social support.
We work to address risk factors (pregnancy intervals, nutrition issues, substance/alcohol abuse, psychosocial problems, family planning and other issues) that impact women’s health and may affect a current and/or future pregnancy. We also offer counseling, group classes/workshops, financial planning support and workforce development for fathers.
Women who participated in the Magnolia Project from 2014-2019 had significantly better birth outcomes in comparison to the overall population in Duval County. According to the Northeast Florida Center for Community Initiatives, Magnolia Project participants had a 72.5% lower infant mortality rate (6.6 per 1,000 live births) when compared to the general population of Black women in Duval County (14.1 deaths per 1,000 live births). Further evidence of the impact of this program in reducing poor birth outcomes is shown to the right.
Our delivery model includes:
- Women’s health services/well woman care
- Toxic stress education and mitigation
- Prenatal care
- Doula services
- Telehealth
- Life course group education
- Case management
- Home visitation
- Health education
- Nutrition counseling
- Mental health
- Fatherhood programs
The project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
Please contact Project Director Marsha Davis at mdavis@nefhsc.org or 904.353.2130, ext. 1005 for more information.