Maternal Health
Information on maternal health, breastfeeding, and infant nutrition can be found through various resources:
The Florida Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program is designed to provide nutritious foods and nutrition education to pregnant women, new mothers, infants and children under the age of five whose income is below 185% of the federal poverty level. WIC participants can expect to receive many health services such as:
- No cost healthy foods
- Breastfeeding support
- Referrals for health and social services
To access further WIC information, please visit the website at www.floridawic.org (breastfeeding pamphlets are written in different languages and can be found under the Nutrition tab).
Contact Information for local WIC and health department services can be found at http://www.floridawic.org/Links/Local_Agencies.html.
Florida's Healthy Start System is designed to assist pregnant women and infants in obtaining health care and social support services needed to reduce risks for poor maternal and infant health outcomes. To learn more about Healthy Start, please visit the web site at www.healthystartflorida.com.
The Chronic Disease and Health Promotion Program provides information to state and local community members on breastfeeding intervention strategies. The program focuses on promoting breastfeeding in different settings, including worksites, medical environments, and family settings. To learn more, please visit the web site at http://www.doh.state.fl.us/Family/obesity/nutrition/index.html.
Children's Health
All families want to find good health care, insurance, and health information for their children. The following are programs presented by the State of Florida and the U.S. federal government that focus on children.
The Bureau of Immunization provides information on immunizations (shots) to help prevent diseases plus programs for getting those shots. For more information, please visit the Web site at www.doh.state.fl.us/disease_ctrl/immune or call your local County Health Department.
Family Health Line provides referrals for pregnancy care, infant/toddler care, and other pregnancy-related concerns. Call toll-free (800) 451-2229 or view their Web site at www.211BigBend.org/hotlines/FamilyHealth.
Florida KidCare is a health insurance program for children under age 19, including Children's Medical Services, Florida Medikids, Florida Healthy Kids, and Florida Medicaid. For more information call toll-free (888) 540-5437 (or TTY 877-316-8748) or visit their Web site at www.FloridaKidCare.org.
Florida Medicaid Program provides medical coverage for eligible low-income residents, mostly children, pregnant women, disabled adults, and seniors. Information can be found at the Department of Children and Families Web site at www.MyFlorida.com/cf_web or call toll-free (866) 762-2237.
Healthy Start Program helps at-risk mothers receive pre-natal care and health care for children. View their Web site at www.healthystartflorida.com.
Kid's Health Care Web Sites provided by the U.S. government can be found by clicking www.kids.gov/k_health.htm.
Children's Food and Nutrition
This section promotes the lifelong habits necessary to promote health and learning.
Wellness Policies - The link below provides access to the Wellness Policies of all public school districts as well as Tools and Resources for Wellness Policy implementation. http://www.fldoe.org/FNM/Wellness
Team Nutrition is an initiative of the USDA Food and Nutrition Service to support the Child Nutrition Programs through training and technical assistance for foodservice, nutrition education for children and their caregivers, and school and community support for healthy eating and physical activity. http://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/Default.htm
Action for Healthy Kids is a collaborating organization with the Florida Department of Education Office of Food and Nutrition Management, Coordinated School Health and the Florida Department of Health that has provided resources to specifically address the epidemic of overweight, undernourished and sedentary youth by focusing on changes at school. http://www.actionforhealthykids.org.
Let's Just Play is an interactive challenge to follow four students on their quest to eat better, play harder and feel better. http://www.nick.com/letsjustplay.
The VERB Campaign encourages young people ages 9–13 years to be physically active every day. The campaign combines paid advertising, marketing strategies, and partnership efforts to reach the distinct audiences of teens and adults/influencers. http://www.cdc.gov/youthcampaign.
Kidnetic is an interactive website for students with games, a fitness challenge, and other activities. http://www.kidnetic.com.
School Food resources, supporting information, and useful web sites related to local school wellness policies are also included. http://www.opi.state.mt.us/schoolfood/healthystudents.html
Florida's Coordinated School Health Program (CSHP) is a collaborative project of the Florida Departments of Education and Health, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Florida's CSHP promotes comprehensive health education, physical education and physical activity, school health services, nutrition services, healthy school environment, family and community involvement, health promotion for staff, and counseling, psychological, and social services.
