I write to you today with a sense of urgency and concern for the future of maternal and child health services in our community. Recently, the Florida Community Health Center
(FCHC) announced financial challenges that will force them to close several prenatal sites across the Treasure Coast, including the potential of ours here in Okeechobee.

FCHC, serving as Okeechobee's sole prenatal provider, experiences a daunting $1.3 million annual deficit, translating to a critical $59 per visit shortfall. Last year alone, they cared for 358 out of our 550 pregnant women, highlighting their pivotal role in our community's maternal health landscape. Losing them would leave us with no prenatal or OB delivery services, transforming our area into a maternity care desert overnight.

To prevent this devastating outcome, we urgently need your support. Whether through spreading awareness of our plight or providing financial assistance to bridge FCHC's

deficit, every contribution matters deeply. Our immediate goal is to raise $131,000 to fill the $59 per visit deficit that is occurring in order to not lose these vital services in Okeechobee this year, while we work towards sustainable, long-term solutions.

I invite you to join us in this crucial effort to preserve essential maternal and child health services in our community. Your support will not only impact the lives of countless women and children but also safeguard the progress we've made in reducing local maternal and infant mortality rates.

Please consider how you can help. Your involvement can make a profound difference in our ability to maintain access to vital healthcare services for those who need it most.

Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter. Together, we can ensure that every woman and family in Okeechobee County has access to the care they deserve.

Sincerely,

Andrea Medellin, Executive Director

Okeechobee Healthy Start