The purpose of this website is to present and share data, key indicators and issue briefs on child and youth health in Florida with individuals and organizations interested in improving the health of Florida's children. Utilizing the lead of our Nation's Healthy People 2010 effort, a Department of Health Strategic planning process identified goals, strategic public health core functions and sixteen leading indicators for child and youth health in Florida as well as data sets for monitoring outcomes over time. In October of 2001, a publication and web prototype for sharing this information was developed. "The Health of Florida's Children and Youth: Atlas of Key Status Indicators, Goals and Objectives for Strategic Planning" -- is available on this website along with issue briefs, data sets and links to other child health sites. It is our intent to continually update and improve the information.

The summary report is a collaborative effort by the Florida Department of Health's Child Health Strategic Planning Task Force which included key stake holders, partner agencies and Florida citizens.

This initiative for children and youth was developed to celebrate the potential for improved child health through collaboration, review and priorization of data and seeks to move child health forward by focusing on areas of child health that can be improved through attention, organization, resources and measurement.

October 3 is National Child Health Day

Children are a precious gift and a source of great hope for our future. National Child Health Day celebrates children and reminds us of the importance of nurturing a child's personal development and providing a safe environment in which to grow.

Links

Take the Time to Help a Child
We all have a role to play in building strong communities in which families and children are valued and supported. It is in strong communities that children are most safe from abuse and neglect. See some of the things you can do to prevent child abuse and neglect in your community.

Report on The Health of Florida's Children and Youth
Synopsis: The Health of Florida's Children and Youth: An Atlas of Key Status Indicators, Goals and Objectives for Strategic Planning was designed to be an internet document and used as a tool for strategic planning in Florida. It will be updated on a regular basis by the Department of Health as agencies and units responsible for specific objectives continue to work on their strategic objectives and provide updated data for monitoring objectives.

KidCare
Florida KidCare is Florida's child health insurance program for children from birth though age 18 who do not have insurance. Eligibility for Florida KidCare is based on income and family size. Many non-citizen children are eligible. For more information or a KidCare application, call toll-free 1-888-540-5437 (KIDS) or visit the Florida KidCare web site at www.floridakidcare.org.