Our History

Pee Dee Healthy Start Inc. is a 501(c)3, community based, nonprofit organization with a well-respected and strong 30-year history of successful service delivery with community recognition in the Pee Dee.

The Pee Healthy Start Initiative began in 1991 as a response to high rates of infant mortality, low birth weight infants, and inadequate health care for women of childbearing age in the Pee Dee, predominately in rural counties of South Carolina.

With support from a federal demonstration grant, Chesterfield, Darlington, Dillon, Florence, Marion, Marlboro, and Williamsburg Counties expanded their health care resources for women of childbearing age and children up to age 2.

At the heart of its programs, Pee Dee Healthy Start Inc., hires, trains, and supervises community residents to provide education and support to high-risk families to connect them to a system of health care. Also, we assess the needs and link families to community resources like jobs, job training, housing, food, etc.

Our Phases

We are here to support you.

  • Pee Dee Healthy Start project birthed under the administration of the United Way of South Carolina.
  • Served and targeted pregnant women ages 10-44 years old in Chesterfield, Darlington, Marion and Williamsburg Counties.
  • Witnessed 2.7% decline in infant mortality rate from 1991-1997.
  • Hired first former consumer.
  • Developed R.O.A.D.S. (Rural Outreach Advocacy and Direct Service) teams.
  • Granted 501 (c) 3 nonprofit status.
  • Transitioned from the United Way of South Carolina to Pee Dee Healthy Start Inc.
  • Established Teen Life Centers, School-Based Health Services and Interfaith Initiatives.
  • Focused on interconceptional health, positive prenatal health behaviors and family planning.
  • Opened avenue for Providers to hear the voices of our clients.
  • Provided services to Hispanic and non-English speaking clients.
  • Awarded Expansion Grant.
  • Coordinated higher learning collaborations to expand educational services to Technical Colleges and Universities.
  • Launched Youth Golf Training program for youth ages 4-14.
  • Awarded Chesterfield United Way grants.
  • Selected as National Healthy Start Association demonstration-MCH Interoperability grant.
  • Awarded March of Dimes Smoking Cessation grant.
  • Awarded Healthy Marriage & relationship Education (HMRE) grant.
  • Developed partnership with South Carolina Primary Health Care Association for Migrant Health Seasonal Farm Workers.
  • Awarded Absolute Total Care and Targeted Case Management grants.
  • Awarded contract from The Dannon Project.
  • Awarded Healthy Start Eliminating Disparities in Perinatal Health grant.
  • Awarded Sexual Risk Avoidance Education grant.
  • Awarded Family, Relationship, and Marriage Education Works grant.