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to the high infant mortality rates reported by local hospitals as a result of women addicted to cocaine giving birth to premature and low birth weight babies. The program has two goals. The first is for each mother to deliver a drug-free baby. The second goal is to enable the mother to live an independent, drug-free lifestyle. The women live in a First Step campus facility while going through the program. The services they receive include prenatal care, parenting and nutrition classes, smoking cessation sessions, and tutoring for GED or college preparation, as well as group and individual counseling that addresses the core issues that led them to their substance abuse disorders. The Sandy Seidman Second Step fund, named in honor of the First Step board member who started the luncheon, was established to assist the women with rental or utility depos- its, baby items, home furnishings and other needs as they transition from a treatment set- ting to independent living. Two graduates of the program, Tiffany and Lisa, spoke about the experiences which led them to addiction and the role First Step played in helping them regain control of their lives. Both women stressed, "You can't do it alone." They praised the First Step Mothers and Infants staff. "They know what they're doing," Sheriff Tom Knight addresses the audience. Photo by Norman Schimmel Sarasota News Leader February 21, 2014 Page 73