June 16, 2025

Healthy Start Puts Families on the Path to Happier Lives

Josselyn Barco Diaz has her hands full.  In one hand is the latest work of art from her six-year-old daughter, Carlita.  In the other hand is her nine-month-old daughter, Adelaide, who is starting to crawl. 

“She’s very mischievous,” says Josselyn.  “She likes to tear apart books and drawings that I do for my mama,” says Carlita. 

But things are getting easier for the east Des Moines family, thanks to EveryStep and a guardian angel in Healthy Start case manager Berenice Reyes. 

“She is one of my most successful stories,” says Berenice, “I’ve had a lot of moms who’ve come a long way, but I feel like Jasmyn has really come a long, long way.” 

Through EveryStep’s Healthy Start program, Josselyn receives monthly visits from Berenice to help with everything from delivering diapers, books and art supplies for her kids to helping her overcome language barriers and connect her with other community resources. 

Learn More About Healthy Start

The program is a two-way street.  To stay enrolled, Josselyn has to stay involved.   

“She participates a lot.  She tries to participate in our classes and groups.  She participated in the All-Smiles Program that we recently had,” says Berenice, “She’s now taking part in parenting classes.  She tries to stay very active in the program.” 

By taking those classes and keeping up with her children’s healthcare visits, Josselyn earns points to be used at the Stork’s Nest – EveryStep's Healthy Start commissary where clients find diapers, personal hygiene products and more. 

“I have purchased with my Stork’s Nest points diapers, wipes, and laundry soap for the baby,” says Josselyn. 

EveryStep’s Healthy Start program has served more than 600 metro families in the last year.  Parents of children 18 months or younger and pregnant women in certain area codes with high at-risk populations are eligible to enroll.  Along with individualized home visits, participants also take part in group parenting support groups.  The goal is to create healthy families and create positive outcomes for populations that too often witness increased poor maternal and child health. 

Funding for the program comes from a federal grant.  EveryStep is hopeful that Iowa lawmakers in Washington, D.C. can continue funding for the program in the next fiscal year. 

The heart of the program lies with EveryStep’s team of Case Managers like Berenice.  More than just a provider of supplies, Berenice walks her clients through any difficulty they are experiencing that could keep them from being dedicated parents. 

“When she was expecting her baby, she didn’t know how to use the bus, so she walked to places,” says Berenice, “She’s very outgoing.  We assist her with bus passes and now she’s very good with moving herself around the area.” 

“I’m assisting her with a document she needs help with.  I’ll print it off and bring it back to fill it out with her,” says Berenice, “Since she doesn’t have transportation there are times that I pick things up for her ... I help her with the language barriers whenever it’s requested.  I try to guide her.” 

EveryStep Community Health Resources

Berenice always tries to add a personal touch to her visits.  On this June day, it includes bringing along a mint plant that she collected from a community program for Josselyn to add to her garden. 

“I just want to express my gratitude for all of the support I’ve received,” Josselyn says, “I’m very thankful to God for the caseworker who was assigned to me.” 

"I’m very grateful because this program has taken over for me when I need it the most.  I have received a lot of support – big, big support,” Josselyn says, “It has been a very hard process, but I feel like I’ve evolved,” Josselyn says. 

For Berenice, it is all in a day’s work.  “It’s the same with all of my clients, I help when I’m needed,” says Berenice. 

“I’ve been doing this for 18 years.  I love it.”