Counties: Alachua, Bradford, Citrus, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Hernando, Lafayette, Lake, Levy, Marion, Putnam, Sumter, Suwannee and Union counties are covered by Fetal & Infant Mortality Review through Central Healthy Start and Healthy Start of North Central. There are 21 Fetal & Infant Mortality Review regions throughout the state. Many of the state’s Healthy Start Coalitions have been contracted by the State of Florida to implement Fetal & Infant Mortality Review locally.   

About: Infant mortality is a key indicator of the health of a community and its social and economic well‐being. Our region’s fetal and infant mortality rates are high (they are consistently higher than the State’s average rates) and show alarming racial and ethnic disparities. Black babies in our area are more than twice as likely to be born still as white babies and are more likely to die before their first birthday. 

FIMR, or the Fetal and Infant Mortality Review, is a national, evidence-based model proven to reduce stillbirth and infant deaths. It is a community‐driven, action‐oriented process to review all the circumstances surrounding an infant or fetal loss and to find solutions to problems the family may have experienced accessing services. 

How Fetal and Infant Mortality Review Works: Fetal and Infant Mortality Review members are made up of healthcare providers, county health departments, perinatal data experts, medical examiners, social service agencies, city council/county commissioners, hospital administrators, community advocates and others with a broad social, economic, cultural and environmental background. They participate in one of two workgroups: the Case Review Team or the Community Action Group.  

The Case Review Team is the “information processing” group. This is the team that reviews and analyzes medical case extractions and family interviews to develop recommendations as to what services, systems and/or policies should be created or improved.  

The Case Review Team (CRT) commits to: 

  • A one‐time virtual, self‐paced Fetal and Infant Mortality Review training 
  • A signed Confidentiality Agreement before attending the first meeting 
  • Confirmation on meeting invites to ensure participants receive the case meeting materials 
  • One, 2‐3-hour meeting once per month 
  • Time to review Case Summary Reports prior to monthly meeting (3‐4 cases) 

The Community Action Group is the “champion for change” that has the political will and resources to develop and implement solutions based on the recommendations from the Case Review Team. 

The Community Action Group (CAG) commits to: 

  • A one‐time virtual, self‐paced Fetal and Infant Mortality Review training 
  • One, 1‐2-hour meeting once per quarter 
  • Time and resources to implement an Action Plan created by the team 
  • CAG may respond to issues that are broad or politically complex and/or may change over time, so time and resources needed to implement change could vary 

Join Us Be a part of Fetal and Infant Mortality Review and make meaningful changes to improve services, systems and resources for families, and reduce stillbirths and infant deaths. Contact Kelsey Lunsford, Fetal and Infant Mortality Review Coordinator, Healthy Start at 352-313-6500 x8062 or vromey@wellflorida.org.

  UPCOMING MEETINGS 

Case Review Team (CRT) Meeting Dates:

October 2025

  • Central Florida (including Marion County) – October 21, 12 – 2 p.m.

November 2025

  • Central Florida (including Marion County) – November 18, 12 – 2 p.m.
  • North Central Florida – November 19, 12 – 2 p.m.

December 2025

  • Central Florida (including Marion County) – December 16, 12 – 2 p.m.
  • North Central Florida – December 17, 12 – 2 p.m.

January 2026

  • Central Florida (including Marion County) – January 20, 12 – 2 p.m.
  • North Central Florida – January 21, 12 – 2 p.m.

February 2026

  • Central Florida (including Marion County) – February 17, 12 – 2 p.m.
  • North Central Florida – February 18, 12 – 2 p.m.

March 2026

  • Central Florida (including Marion County) – March 17, 12 – 2 p.m.
  • North Central Florida – March 18, 12 – 2 p.m.

April 2026

  • Central Florida (including Marion County) – April 21, 12 – 2 p.m.
  • North Central Florida – April 15, 12 – 2 p.m.

May 2026

  • Central Florida (including Marion County) – May 19, 12 – 2 p.m.
  • North Central Florida – May 20, 12 – 2 p.m.

June 2026

  • Central Florida (including Marion County) – June 16, 12 – 2 p.m.
  • North Central Florida – June 17, 12 – 2 p.m.

Community Action Group (CAG) Meeting Dates:

December 2025

  • Central and North Central Florida – December 2, 12 – 1 p.m. 

March 2026

  • Central and North Central Florida – March 24, 12 – 1 p.m. 

June 2026

  • Central and North Central Florida – June 19, 12 – 1 p.m.