(BLACK PR WIRE) – MIAMI – The Healthy Start Coalition of Miami-Dade (HSCMD) has partnered with Early Learning Coalition of Miami-Dade/Monroe (ELCMDM) to host the Family Summer Kick-Off, a fun-filled day promoting childhood health, education and safety for pregnant women and families with children up to age eight. The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Miami-Dade County Fair and Expo Center: 10901 Southwest 24th Street, Miami. Encouraging whole families to enjoy quality time together in an all-ages environment, the event is completely free and features early pregnancy, childbirth, home safety, early literacy, bike safety, car seat inspection and first aid classes, plus a giant slide, rock wall, obstacle course, inflatable play town, bounce houses, arts and crafts, raffles and giveaways for the entire family!

“We are thrilled to be part of the first Family Summer Kick-Off!” said Evelio Torres, president & CEO of the Early Learning Coalition. “These events offering free services, resources and products to families in need allow access to proper care and healthy, constructive enjoyment for all Miami-Dade County residents. Our work and the efforts of our partners have helped build a community where our children are the priority.”

The event will feature an 11 a.m. program including remarks from South Florida’s elected officials, community partners and social service organizational leaders. Invited guests include Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez, Florida Senator Oscar Braynon, II, and U.S. Congressman David Rivera. All attendees will be presenting proclamations and official recognitions of HSCMD’s work in the county.

“With state and federal funding cuts to early education and childhood health programs, citizens across the county are looking to us for help,” said Manuel Fermin, CEO of Healthy Start. “We and our partners are being called to step up to the plate, and I’m so glad South Florida’s noted leaders support our efforts for happier and healthier Miami-Dade families.”

Thousands of mothers and caretakers are expected to participate in the free event. HSCMD is also offering opportunities for corporations and local health and social service organizations to join the effort. To secure your organization as a partner or sponsor, please contact Manuel Fermin at (305) 541-0210. For more information on the event, or to pre-register (recommended if planning to attend classes), call Miami-Dade Area Health Education Center (AHEC) at (305) 597-3666, or visit hscmd.org.

About the Healthy Start Coalition of Miami-Dade: HSCMD serves as a community-based prenatal care agency for mothers and babies. It serves more than 24,000 pregnant women, 30,000 infants and 3,000 women between pregnancies. One of the organization’s top programs, MomCare, is committed to improving birth outcomes and reducing infant mortality rates through guidance, education and care coordination for expecting mothers. It complements Florida’s statewide Healthy Start Program that provides universal screening to all pregnant women and infants. For more information on the Healthy Start Coalition of Miami-Dade, please call (305) 541-0210 or visit hscmd.org.

About the Early Learning Coalition of Miami-Dade/Monroe: ELCMDM is one of 31 similar organizations in the state of Florida. It is the state’s largest and most diverse, serving more than 50,000 children from birth to age 5. The Coalition’s programs consist of School Readiness, Voluntary Prekindergarten, Child Care Resource and Referral Services, Assessment and Inclusion programs, and Quality Counts. For more information, please visit elcmdm.org.