MCHD highlights Healthy Start Enhanced program 2-4-26
February 4, 2026
MCHD highlights Healthy Start Enhanced program
MOBILE, Ala. — The Mobile County Health Department (MCHD) is encouraging residents to learn about the Healthy Start Enhanced program, a free home- and community-based service that helps babies and families thrive while addressing the unique needs of participants in Mobile County.
The announcement coincides with Children’s Mental Health awareness activities in February, underscoring how healthy pregnancies, nurturing caregiving, and strong parent child relationships are essential to lifelong mental health. In September 2023, Healthy Start Enhanced received federal funding from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) for a period of five years.
Supporting early mental health
The Healthy Start Enhanced team offers comprehensive services, including linkages to prenatal care, parenting education, developmental promotion, and referrals to community resources. These services are designed to reduce health disparities, strengthen caregiver–child bonding, and promote healthy social emotional development in infants and young children.
Home visitors and parent educators work with families on topics such as positive parenting, safe sleep, stress management, and understanding how parental mood, trauma, and social stressors can affect a child’s behavior and development. When mental health needs are identified, staff connect caregivers and children to appropriate counseling, early childhood mental health services, and community support.
Engaging Mobile County families
Healthy Start Enhanced serves pregnant and parenting families in Mobile County, with a focus on those facing barriers such as limited income, unstable housing, or limited access to care. Services are provided at no cost and may include home visits, group activities, and links to programs such as fatherhood initiatives, teen parenting support, and early childhood services.
MCHD is working with schools, early childhood centers, behavioral health providers, and community organizations to share resources during Children’s Mental Health activities and to encourage early referrals of families who may benefit from extra support. Families, counselors, and healthcare providers are encouraged to talk with caregivers about the importance of early bonding, reading and playing with young children, and seeking help early if concerns about development, behavior, or maternal depression arise.
How to learn more or refer
Mobile County residents can contact MCHD’s Healthy Start Enhanced program to ask questions, enroll, or refer a family.
- Visit https://mchd.org/ and select “Community Health” to learn more about Healthy Start Enhanced and other maternal and child health services.
- Send email to healthystart@mchd.org. The telephone number is 251-433-8715.
MCHD remains committed to partnering with families, community agencies, and healthcare providers to ensure that every child in Mobile County has the healthiest possible start in life — physically, emotionally, and socially.
“Children’s mental health starts long before the first day of school,” said Dr. Kevin Michaels, Health Officer for Mobile County. “By supporting mothers, fathers, and caregivers from pregnancy through early childhood, we are building the emotional foundation every child needs to thrive.”
CredibleMind is a free digital platform that connects users with mental health and self-care resources to help you manage the ups and downs of life. Whether you’re looking for articles to read, assessments to take, videos to watch, or podcasts to listen to, CredibleMind has the tools to assist you with understanding yourself better and learning how to navigate life’s challenges.
CredibleMind has a library of topics titled “Help for Parents.” You can learn more by visiting the following website — https://alabama.crediblemind.com/lists/help-for-parents/mental-health.