Archive for February, 2018

State should fully fund Healthy Start

February 28, 2018

Citrus County Chronicle

IN SUMMARY
THE ISSUE: Healthy Start program in danger of a major funding cut.

OUR OPINION: Legislators need to fully fund this program, for the health of babies and whole communities.

Florida has been in the crosshairs lately, so it’s nice to hear when the state is doing something right. In this case, it’s Florida’s progress in lowering the infant mortality rate by 35 percent, due largely to the efforts of Healthy Start coalitions statewide. But advocates warn that Healthy Start is on the chopping block in […]

County puts Children’s Trust on Nov. 6 ballot

February 27, 2018

jill.dygert

Other

Gainesville Sun

The initiative could raise $7 million its first year in property taxes.

The creation of a children’s services organization will be on the November ballot this year.
The Alachua County Commission voted at its public hearing meeting Tuesday to put a Children’s Trust initiative on the Nov. 6 referendum.
The board established the Children’s Services Advisory Board in August 2016. If approved by voters, the Children’s Trust will be created and will have the authority to tax up to one-half mill to provide services for […]

Editorial: The year of the child

February 25, 2018

jill.dygert

News

Gainesville Sun

Some have already declared it be the “year of the child” in Alachua County, but a lot of work remains to make that happen.

Alachua County Public Schools must keep making improvements despite a lack of adequate state support. County voters have stepped up in approving local funding for arts and music programs and other priorities, but more help is needed to improve aging school facilities, address disparities in achievement and prepare children outside the classroom.

That preparation begins long before children enter kindergarten. County commissioners […]

Families with tiniest members soon to get home visits

February 21, 2018

jill.dygert

News

Gainesville Sun

Families with newborns soon will get help with making sure their little ones have the best chance for early childhood success.

Thanks to a $400,000 grant from the Alachua County Commission, Healthy Start of North Central Florida in March will launch the NewboRN Home Visiting Program to provide services designed to help children succeed early in life — academically, emotionally and socially.

Registered nurses from UF Health Shands Home Care team, Nursecore of Gainesville, a national […]

Editorial: Don’t cut funding for Healthy Start

February 16, 2018

jill.dygert

News

Ocala Star Banner

The state Senate, the upper chamber of Legislature, has proposed lowering funds for an invaluable state-local program — Florida Healthy Start.

Disappointing.

The Florida House of Representatives, which has called for maintaining Healthy Start funding, should stay the course and say no to this unhealthy proposal.

We strongly urge the two senators from our region — Republicans Dennis Baxley and Keith Perry — to break ranks with their fellow senators and support an adequate appropriation for a program that improves the lives of individuals and families […]

County Health Profiles Provide Overview of Region’s Health Status

February 6, 2018

jill.dygert

Blog

WellFlorida Council recently updated health data for each North Central Florida county and the collective region.

WellFlorida provides annual county health profiles to help residents and community leaders get an accurate overview of each county’s health status, and how it compares to the state.

The data represents: Alachua, Bradford, Citrus, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Hernando, Lafayette, Lake, Levy, Marion, Putnam, Sumter, Suwanee and Union. Categories include socioeconomics, maternal and infant care, and healthcare access.

County profiles can be used to conduct further research and can help creates awareness […]