More than a half-million children lack health insurance in Florida — even as the state is losing out on millions in federal dollars to help them.

Late last month, the federal government announced bonuses of nearly $300 million to 23 states, including Georgia, Alabama and Louisiana. But Florida met only two of the feds’ eight requirements to receive the money.

State officials didn’t even bother to apply for the bonuses.

“It’s sinful,” said Dawn Steward, head of the Florida KidCare Coalition for Orange and Seminole counties. KidCare is the public-insurance program for children from birth through age 18. It’s paid for mostly by the federal government but administered by the states.

“Alabama got something like $19 million, and yet here is Flori-duh getting nothing,” she said. “People need to be mad about this.” (Read More…)

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Nutrition No No’s…

January 22, 2012

Nutrition No No’s – 6 Mealtime Mistakes to Avoid with Your Children A good number of us give thought to avoiding the mistakes our parents made in exposing us to food choices and try to teach good eating habits. Children are curious by nature and our own attitudes can form a child’s eating habits and [...]

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POLITIWATCH: 2012 CHILDREN’S PLATFORM RELEASED

January 20, 2012

Download it here: The Children’s Campaign 2012 Legislative Platform Today, Tuesday, January 10, the Florida Legislature reconvenes in the state capitol. Also, today, The Children’s Campaign is distributing its 2012 Legislative Platform. Overall, the platform is oriented to hanging onto the resources currently dedicated to Florida’s children.  After 3 consecutive years of budget cuts, and [...]

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voice

Children’s Campaign Current 1-20-12

January 20, 2012

Promise 1 – Children’s Health Vigilance is needed for children’s food allergies (Southwest Florida’s News-Press) A 7-year-old Virginia girl’s death last week from an allergic reaction in school underscores the importance of managing food allergies in children, doctors say. Prenatal visits key to infants’ well-being (Jackson Clarion Ledger) Decreasing the infant mortality rate – the [...]

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Legislative Connection 2012 Issue One

January 19, 2012

Legislative Connection 2012 Issue One Anyone expecting vigorous attention to children’s issues during the 2012 legislative session will mostly likely be disappointed.  As of our last count last week, of 114 bills filed regarding Florida’s children, only 84 have been assigned to committees (which doesn’t guarantee they will be heard), and only 14 have passed [...]

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Watchdog

The Watchdog – The Deanne Roberts Story

January 17, 2012

UPDATE The memorial service for Deanne Dewey Roberts will be available for viewing today, Wednesday, on the internet thanks to a live streaming opportunity. The address will be: http://www.chappellroberts.com/serviceThe site will be live on Wednesday morning. The stream should be live by 4pm. According to Chappell Roberts, they plan to stream the service, then move [...]

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Scant attention paid to children’s issues in campaign

January 16, 2012

Child poverty, education gaps and health care challenges are barely on the radar screen for Republican candidates By Summit Voice With 11 months until Election Day 2012, presidential candidates are spending far less time addressing issues facing America’s children than other key issues, according to a new report released this week. According to the report, [...]

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