•      Recalls
•      Food pyramid
•      Food guidelines and information
•      Prescription information

What is a challenge?

•  develop an app or graphic
• submit a healthy recipe for kids or an idea or story through photos or videos
• improve a product or process
• solve a problem previously thought unsolvable

Once a challenge is created, other people can join the challenge to propose a solution, discuss the challenge, and show support. Incentives, which are payable only if a challenge is solved, encourage others to solve a problem and earn their rewards.

Do you need help paying your utility and other bills?

To Learn about the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program click here
or in Pasco County call: (352)567-0533 or (727)845-7350.

Also, check out the Pasco County Human Services website or call them at (727)834-3297 or (352)521-5173.

They provide assistance with:

*Limited payments toward past due rent

*Limited payments for past due utility bills (electricity, water, propane)

*Burial services for residents who have no insurance benefits or other means by which to pay for services

*Information and Referrals on available community resources
Emergency Home Energy Assistance for the Elderly Program – This program assists residents 60 years of age and older, twice a year, with past due utility bills. Funding is through the Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas, Inc.

*Assistance with prescription drugs, up to the established amounts, when ordered by a physician (Human Services does not provide psychotropic and/or habit forming medications.)

*Dental Services are restricted to simple extractions

*Out-Patient Services

*Physicians office visits

*Laboratory and x-rays, when ordered by physician

Remember to call 211 if you need referrals to other social service agencies.

Managing money wisely is a challenge for many of us. In times like now, we are trying to stretch that dollar just a little further. The Federal government has released a toolkit that will help you with saving, investing, protecting, and getting the most for your money. You can request the toolkit using this online form or by calling 1 (888) 696 – 6639, between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. eastern time (except Federal holidays). Supplies are limited, so order soon.

The tool kit contains the following publications. If you click on the links below you can read these publications now!

The Southwest Florida Water Management District has tightened watering restrictions in the Tampa Bay area, including Pasco County, effective April 3rd.

The District continues to be impacted by the three-year drought. Over the past three years, the District’s rainfall deficit is about 30 inches. We must continue to save water during this critical time. Calculate your water usage. You can find out more at WaterMatters.org

The St. Petersburg Times published an excellent article "What You Need to Know About Rain Barrels" on Saturday, April 18th. Included in this article is information about rain barrel workshops and the Earth Day Celebration at Crews Lake Park on Saturday April 25th from 9:30-2:00pm. Bring the whole family and enjoy a variety of activities including lady bug release, native plant sale, Crocodile Encounters and more.

Relief funds from the Stimulus package are beginning to appear in Pasco County!

Career Central (Workforce Florida One Stop Center for Pasco and Hernando Counties) report that they have received funding to expand their hours, provide jobs for young people, as well as other programs.

United Way of Pasco County received funding for local food pantries and shelters. Organizations that received help include: Elderly Nutrition (Meals on Wheels & Dining Centers), Volunteer Way Food Bank, Daystar, Suncoast Harvest, and others.

To see how stimulus money is being spent in Florida, check out flarecovery.com.

The Pasco County Health Department and community partners involved in PATH (Pasco Alliance for Treatment and Health) are assessing Pasco’s themes and strengths related to healthcare access. Attached you will find a link to the survey for residents of Pasco County.

Please consider completing this survey and forwarding it with others who live in Pasco County. The more surveys we have completed the more accurate our picture of healthcare access will be.

Thank you for your consideration.

Obtaining health care coverage is a concern of many Americans, especially for those who recently lost their job resulting in loss of health insurance as well. There are some programs out there that may help you.

COBRA Coverage:
If your employer continues to operate and offer a group plan, COBRA continuation coverage may be available. It may cost you more than when you were employed, but still likely to be cheaper than private insurance. Through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 certain individuals will be eligible for COBRA cover at a discounted rate. Click here to learn more.

Government Health Care Programs:
Medicaid or Medicare or call 1-800-MEDICARE; Florida State Children's Health Insurance Program and Cover Florida (an affordable health coverage available to uninsured Floridians through a comprehensive market-based strategy).

Public Health Departments:
While Public Health Departments do not replace primary care providers, they do provide some health services for free such as immunizations, smoking cessations programs and more. Click here to learn more about services provided at your local health department.


To help Pasco County residents explore health care options and services, the Pasco County Library System will be holding workshops at the library branches. Watch for more information in the library's Calendar of Events or call (727) 861-3040.

While none of these options are ideal, it least there is some assistance out there.

Pasco County has a vision- " Pasco County will provide excellent customer service to our citizens in a lean, efficient and accountable manner." The LEAP (Lean, Efficient, Accountable Pasco) Project is the method by which we will implement this vision. Click here to read more...

The County wants to hear from the citizens!

What are your priorities for Pasco County? How do you see the future of Pasco County?

Come to one of the stakeholder meetings and let your opinions be heard

* East Pasco Residents & Businesses - Monday, March 30, 7 to 9 p.m. at Pasco-Hernando Community College East Campus Auditorium, Dade City.

* Growth Management & Economic Development Stakeholders – Wednesday, April 1, 7 to 9 p.m. at PHCC West Campus, Performing Arts Center Auditorium, New Port Richey.

* West Pasco Residents & Businesses – Monday, April 13, 7 to 9 p.m. at PHCC West Campus, Performing Arts Center Auditorium, New Port Richey.

* Central Pasco Residents & Businesses - Wednesday, April 15, 7 to 9 p.m. at Sunlake High School Cafetorium, 3023 Sunlake Blvd., Land O’ Lakes.

* Elected Officials (Board of County Commissioners, city councils, constitutional officers, School Board, legislative delegation, etc.) – Monday, May 4, 7 to 9 p.m. at PHCC West Campus,Performing Arts Center Auditorium, New Port Richey.


These meetings are open to the public, although RSVPs are strongly recommended. To RSVP, call 727-847-8115.

To help citizens understand the budget process- Michael Nurrenbrock - Director of Office of Management and Budget is writing a series of articles about the budget process titled Budget 101

Free Help with Online Government Forms at the following locations:

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE CURRENT OUTREACH CALENDAR

Zephyrhills Library
5347 8th Street
Zephyrhills
813.780.0064
Thursdays 12pm-2pm
March 19, May 21, July 16

Pasco County Elderly Nutrition Dining Centers
Southgate Dining Site
At Southgate Apartments
5352 Charlotte Avenue
New Port Richey
727.834.3279
Wednesday, March 25th
10:30am-12:30pm

Sunset Bay Dining Site
At Sunset Bay Club Apartments
4331 Fiji Drive
New Port Richey
727.816.9757
Thursday, March 26
10:30am-12:30pm

Galen Wilson Dining Site
8600 Galen Wilson Blvd.
Port Richey
727.834.3317
Friday, March 27
10:30am-12:30pm

Click here to see the complete outreach calendar

What information do I need?


The following list details what information may be needed to complete online government forms. Of course, different forms require different information, but for most online forms you will need to bring the following with you:

• Information about household members (e.g., date-of-birth and social security number)
• Rent or mortgage information
• Expenses (utilities, daycare, etc.)
• Vehicle information
• Bank statements
• Income (pay stubs)
• Work History (places and dates of employment)
  
• Life insurance information
• Proof of Citizenship or identity
  
• Additional information as requested

The Pasco County Library System has laptops available at every library branch designated for the completion of online government forms including the Access Florida forms. To find out more about these laptops read this press release

You can click this link to go directly to the Access Florida website.

If you need assistance completing the forms a Department of Children and Families (DCF) representative is available at the Pasco County Health Department in Dade City and the Department of Children and Families offices in New Port Richey.

The Dade City office of the Pasco County Health Department is located at 13941 15th Street, Dade City their telephone number is 352-521-1450.

The DCF office in New Port Richey is located at 7601 Little Road New Port Richey their telephone number is 727-834-3900.

Also, all three Career Central locations have computers dedicated for Access Florida form use. They also have staff that can assist with completing the forms. The Career Central locations are:

Career Central
7361 Forest Oaks Blvd.
Spring Hill, FL 34606
(352) 200-3020

Career Central
6038 Gall Blvd
Zephyrhills, FL 33542
(813) 780-0111

Career Central
4440 Grand Blvd.
New Port Richey, FL 34652
(727) 484-3400

For more information call any branch of the library system.

The Pasco County Library System has laptops available at every library branch designated for the completion of online government forms including the Access Florida forms. To find out more about these laptops read this press release

You can click this link to go directly to the Access Florida website.

If you need assistance completing the forms a Department of Children and Families (DCF) representative is available at the Pasco County Health Department in Dade City and the Department of Children and Families offices in New Port Richey.

The Dade City office of the Pasco County Health Department is located at 13941 15th Street, Dade City their telephone number is 352-521-1450.

The DCF office in New Port Richey is located at 7601 Little Road New Port Richey their telephone number is 727-834-3900.

Also, all three Career Central locations have computers dedicated for Access Florida form use. They also have staff that can assist with completing the forms. The Career Central locations are:

Career Central
7361 Forest Oaks Blvd.
Spring Hill, FL 34606
(352) 200-3020

Career Central
6038 Gall Blvd
Zephyrhills, FL 33542
(813) 780-0111

Career Central
4440 Grand Blvd.
New Port Richey, FL 34652
(727) 484-3400

For more information call any branch of the library system.

Make Money...Make a Difference

The Census Bureau is currently recruiting for thousands of temporary census jobs. You must be 18 years old, a U.S. citizen, have a valid social security number, take a written basic skills test, pass a background check, and for field jobs you must have a valid driver's license.

You can call 1-866-861-2010 to schedule an appointment to take the test and apply for a job.

Find more information at the Census Bureau website

Career Central is a one stop center for Pasco and Hernando county residents seeking a job or changing careers. They will help you in your job search, provide training, and teach you interviewing techniques. Their website Career Central is loaded with tools and information. You can visit one of their three office locations or stop by the
Hudson Library on November 19 and December 10 between 11am and 3pm. For more information call the Hudson Library at 727-861-3040.

There are other one stop career centers throughout Florida. Click on this Workforce Florida link to find the career center near you.

On Veteran's Day we honor all men and women who have served in the armed forces. This day gives us an opportunity to thank them for the sacrifices they have made for our country.

The U.S. Department of Veteran's Affairs website is loaded with information such as veteran's benefits, jobs and more. New educational benefits for veterans are available under the Post 9/11 GI Bill you can obtain more information directly about these educational benefits in The Post-9/11 Veteran's Educational Assistance Act of 2008 Fact Sheet.

Election Day is November 4th

For Pasco voter information including a list of polling locations,
visit the Pasco Supervisor of Elections website:
http://www.pascovotes.com

For election results, visit the Florida Division of Elections website:
http://election.dos.state.fl.us

United States Election Assistance Commission website is loaded with information about the election process and is there to answer your questions.
http://www.eac.gov/

The Pasco E-Government crew video taped both the Republican and Democratic vice-presidential rallies at Sims Park in New Port Richey. Stay tuned for video footage from both rallies!

Election Day is November 4th

For Pasco voter information including a list of polling locations,
visit the Pasco Supervisor of Elections website:
http://www.pascovotes.com

For election results, visit the Florida Division of Elections website:
http://election.dos.state.fl.us

United States Election Assistance Commission website is loaded with information about the election process and is there to answer your questions.
http://www.eac.gov/

The Pasco E-Government crew video taped both the Republican and Democratic vice-presidential rallies at Sims Park in New Port Richey. Stay tuned for video footage from both rallies!

If you live in or near Pasco County, consider coming to one of the upcoming E-Government Computer Skills classes! These classes will teach you how to navigate the Internet to find government services online and will outline the most popular government services, like food stamp and unemployment applications.

Attendance is limited, so call and sign up for a class today! Locations, dates and times can be found in our current Calendar of Events.

Hope to see you there!