DeSantis administration launches state-supported pregnancy website

The DeSantis administration on Tuesday unveiled a pregnancy website that officials said provides “additional wraparound support for life.”

The website, dubbed Strong Florida Moms, launched after the Legislature 2024 passed HB 415 along partisan lines, with Democrats pondering why the site was necessary and whether it would also provide information to women who are seeking abortions, which are mostly illegal in Florida after six weeks. (It does not.)

The bill directed the Department of Health to contract with a third party to develop the website and appropriated $466,200 to support it.

Across the top of the website appear the words “Strong from the Start.” Pictures of pregnant women touching their bellies and cradling and playing with babies rotate on the site.  There also is a picture of a woman standing alongside her husband, who is rubbing their baby’s back.

“Every mom and family needs access to trusted medical information and resources no matter where they are in their parenting journey,” the website says. 

“Strong Florida Moms is where you can access information about what to expect during pregnancy, resources to obtain health care, and answers to many of the questions Florida moms and dads have about parenting. Families can also access community resources such as local support groups with other moms, initiatives that connect to job opportunities and other resources tailored to their parenting journey.”

The website features a picture of First Lady Casey DeSantis and two of her three children. It features categories on pregnancy, first years, health care, and child care.

But neither the pregnancy nor the health care sections include information about how women can access Medicaid, which covered 42.1% of all births in Florida in 2023, according to the March of Dimes. 

A woman can earn 185% of the federal poverty level, $27,861 for a family of one, and qualify for Medicaid. Coverage remains intact for a year following the birth of the child.

While it contains no information on Medicaid, the pregnancy section includes information on prenatal health including a chart of foods to avoid and a link to the U.S. Department of Agriculture featuring food recalls.

The first years section of the website does include information in the children’s health care section about Florida Healthy Kids and MediKids, subsidized health insurance options for lower income children.

Missed deadline

HB 415 directed the Department of Health to launch the website Jan. 1, a deadline it missed. The law also requires the Department of Children and Families and the Agency for Health Care Administration to “include a clear and conspicuous link to the website on their respective websites,” but neither department has.

State surgeon General Joseph Ladapo lauded the launching of the website in a prepared statement. 

“Under the Governor and First Lady’s leadership, Florida is ensuring families statewide have the tools they need to ensure the best outcomes for pregnant women and their children, from pregnancy through the early years of life,” said Ladapo, who also serves as secretary of the DOH.

“Through the resources now provided by the Strong Florida Moms and Father First programs, Florida will continue to support the lives and well-being of Florida’s families, advancing our vision that all Floridians have the opportunity to lead long, healthy, and fulfilling lives.”

In addition to the information for mothers, the site mentions the Father’s First Initiative, described as a statewide community-driven effort at “empowering fathers to embrace their unique roles in their children’s lives.”

Dads can sign up for emails from All Pro Dad, a Tampa nonprofit launched in 1997 by Mark Merrill with the help of former NFL head football coach Tony Dungy. According to the website, dads who sign up for the email will receive a “30 Day Dad Challenge” designed to provide 30 ways in 30 days to “be the best dad you can be.”

DCF Secretary Shevaun Harris praised DeSantis and the First Lady for ensuring that “parents, especially expectant parents, have resources and information that are readily available.”

“Through initiatives like Father First and Strong Florida Moms, we are empowering parents to thrive, building strong and resilient Florida families with confidence and support,” Harris said in a statement.