(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 this Saturday, June 9, 2012, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Miami-Dade County Fair and Expo Center: Coral Way (24th Street) and SW 112th Avenue in Miami 33165. 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, obstacle course, inflatable play town, arts and crafts, bounce houses and giveaways for the entire family! More than 1,000 mothers and caretakers have already preregistered to attend the indoor, air-conditioned event (rain or shine) with their children, and hundreds more are expected.

“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. Attendees will be presenting proclamations and official recognitions of HSCMD’s work in the county. Confirmed attendees include:

• Florida Senator Gwen Margolis
• Florida Representative Daphne Campbell
• Florida Representative John Patrick Julien
• Florida Representative Carlos Lopez-Cantera
• Florida Representative Ron Saunders
• City of Miami Commissioner Michelle Spence Jones
• City of Miami Gardens Mayor Shirley Gibson
• City of Sweetwater Vice Mayor Jose Diaz

“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 Coalition. “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.”

To preregister for the event (recommended if planning to attend classes), call Miami-Dade Area Health Education Center (AHEC) at (305) 597-3666, or visit hscmd.org. For more information, please contact Healthy Start Coalition at (305) 541-0210.

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.

WHO: HEALTHY START COALITION OF MIAMI-DADE AND EARLY LEARNING COALITION OF MIAMI-DADE/MONROE

WHAT: FAMILY SUMMER KICK-OFF

DESCRIPTION: THOUSANDS OF YOUNG, LOCAL FAMILIES, MOTHERS, CARETAKERS AND CHILDREN ACTIVELY ENGAGED AND LEARNING IN AN EXCITING, FUN ENVIRONMENT

WHEN: SATURDAY, JUNE 9, 2012 â - 9 A.M. – 3 P.M. â - PRESS CONFERENCE PROGRAM WITH ELECTED OFFICIALS AT 11 A.M.

WHERE: MIAMI-DADE COUNTY FAIR AND EXPO CENTER â - 10901 SW 24 STREET â - MIAMI, FLORIDA 33165

MEDIA RSVP: EVENT IS RAIN OR SHINE. THERE IS SPECIAL ENTRY AND RESERVED PARKING FOR MEDIA; PLEASE RSVP TO MATTHEW BEATTY AT (305) 948-8063 EXT. 209 BY 5 P.M., THURSDAY, JUNE 7. THANK YOU!