Parenting advice,tips and techniques are now available in easy to access formats from the Florida Department of Children and Families. “Family Development – A Caregiver’s Guide” is a free electronic download available in English, Spanish or Creole. The English version will also be available in formats compatible with Kindle, Nook, e-book, iPad and other tablets.
The book covers infant care (including important safe sleep information) to children to adolescents.
Some of the features include:
- How to soothe a crying baby
- Infant nutrition information
- Home safety checklists
- Positive parenting activities
- Keeping kids safe online
- How to manage stress
- Choosing safe and appropriate child care
Download the book here: www.dcf.state.fl.us/caregivers. Parents and caregivers can also call the Florida Parent Helpline at 1-800-352-5683.
Project SOS is offering free “Why Knot” workshops in the community. The 10-week course for both married and non-married couples focuses on:
- Healthy communication
- Financial skills
- Individual/Couple mentoring
- Learn to fight fair
- Be a better you
For more information, call 904-296-9950. Free refreshments and childcare are provided. Couples who qualify will receive a free marriage license.
Nearly 100 families — accounting for 116 children – took the first step towards comprehensive health care coverage for their youngest members when they completed applications at the Orange Park Health Fair on Saturday, March 17.
The health fair, held at Town Hall Park, was aimed at enrolling children into Florida KidCare and providing health information for families. The Florida KidCare program is health insurance for uninsured children under age 19. Qualifying for Florida KidCare is based on income & family size and costs families $15 or $20 each month or nothing at all.
The event was co-sponsored by the local Florida KidCare outreach program, Haven Hospice and Orange Park Adult Medicine.
Florida KidCare outreach in Northeast Florida is funded by Ronald McDonald House Charities of Jacksonville, the Jacksonville Children’s Commission, St. Vincent’s HealthCare, Wolfson Children’s Hospital, the Florida Healthy Kids Corporation and Florida Covering Kids and Families.
Save the date — The “Affirming Fatherhood Conference 2012″ is coming to Tampa May 16-18, 2012.
For more information, contact Kenneth Scarborough at 813.712.6320 or kscarborough@reachupincorporated.org.
UPDATED 2/23: SB1294 has passed the Senate Health Regulation Committee. It will move to either the Budget Subcommittee for Health and Human Services or directly to the Senate Budget Committee. Visit Florida CHAIN for more information.
Several bills that would allow more children to access Florida KidCare are making their way through the legislature.
HB 849, sponsored by Rep. Elaine Schwartz (D) would allow uninsured children of state employees to be covered under KidCare. The bill was referred to the Health & Human Services Access Subcommittee on December 21 but has not been heard yet.
It’s Senate companion bill (SB510) has already passed the Budget Subcommittee on Health and Human Services Appropriations and the Health Regulations Committee with strong bipartisan support. It is now in the Budget Committee.
SB 1294, sponsored by Sen. Rene Garcia (R) would delete a provision preventing children who do not meet the definition of a qualified alien from participating in the program. The bill is currently in the Senate Health Regulation Committee.
For more information on health care access in Florida, visit Florida CHAIN.
