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Florida KidCare health insurance
Child Health Insurance You Can Afford
Through Florida KidCare, the state of Florida offers health insurance for children from birth through age 18, even if one or both parents are working. It includes four different parts. When you apply for the insurance, Florida KidCare will check which part your child may qualify for based on age and family income.- MEDIKIDS: children ages 1 through 4.
- HEALTHY KIDS: children ages 5 through 18.
- CHILDREN’S MEDICAL SERVICES NETWORK: children birth through 18 who have special health care needs.
- MEDICAID: children birth through 18. A child who has other health insurance may still qualify for Medicaid.
Some of the services Florida KidCare covers are:- Doctor visits
- Check-ups and shots
- Hospital
- Surgery
- Prescriptions
- Emergencies
- Vision and hearing
- Dental
- Mental health
Follow this link for information on eligibility and cost.
There are several ways to apply for Florida KidCare:- Apply online or
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Government Information on your iPhone
On the go, but need answers? You don't need to wait until you get home to have your questions answered. Download the official USA Search iPhone application and you'll have the answers right at your fingertips.
This app provides information and images from every federal, state, local, territorial and tribal government website and can be downloaded to your iPhone, Android or Blackberry. You can also access information from several government databases, including information on:
- Recalls
- Food pyramid
- Food guidelines and information
- Prescription information
Click here for other free government apps* from the IRS to check your refund status, the EPA, FEMA, the Library of Congress, the FBI, Fuel Economy.gov., MedLine Plus, and many more.
*All the apps featured currently are free. Charges from your cell phone carrier may apply.
Information provided by USA.gov more -
Helping Those Affected by Overseas Disasters
What Can I Do To Make A Difference?
Many of us have been moved to help in the relief efforts of the terrible devastation of recent disasters in our country and around the world. The media attention that follows an international disaster brings about a compassionate response that often fills us with empathy and a feeling of powerlessness. Many are not sure of how they can best support the efforts of groups and governments responding in a crisis situation. Here are a few recommendations on the most appropriate ways any of us can help.
Make A Donation
Giving donations is often the best way to help in a natural disaster. Relief efforts cost massive amounts of money in order for relief teams to do their jobs and provide necessities to victims. Cash allows relief professionals to procure exactly what is needed in a disaster situation and ensure that donations are culturally, dietary, and environmentally appropriate. Be sure to give to a reputable, well-established organization to ensure that your gift makes the best possible impact toward relief, one that spends the largest percentage of its donations on direct assistance to victims of the natural disaster instead of using the money for other programs and expenditures. As a rule, avoid charities that will not disclose the breakdown of how each dollar is spent. Also, avoid those that spend more than 20% of monies received on "administrative" or other expenses.
Take the time to thoroughly research the organization to which you intend to donate. Treat this as you would any other investment. Beware of scams and if giving online, be sure you are on the designated site for that organization. If you would like to check out different charitable organizations, a good place to start is the Better Business Bureau.
Give Blood
You can literally save a life by giving blood. Even when disaster occurs far from your hometown, or in another country, donating to your local blood bank will help keep national and international blood supplies stocked and ready for transfer to wherever they are needed. Visit the American Red Cross to learn more about donating blood.
Volunteer
First, decide if you can physically and mentally volunteer for disaster relief. When you volunteer to go to a disaster area you will be exposed to one of the most stressful situations you will ever witness. You may work 20 hours and sleep 4 hours. You may or may not have enough food and water. You will be exposed to a dangerous physical environment.
To ensure your skills will be best utilized, it is important to go with an organized agency. The reality is that volunteer opportunities for international disaster relief are extremely limited, and people without disaster relief experience are generally not selected for relief assignments. Candidates with the greatest chance of being selected have fluency in the language of the disaster-stricken area, prior disaster relief experience, and expertise in technical fields such as medicine, communications, logistics, or water/sanitation engineering. Most agencies require at least ten years of prior experience, as well as several years of experience working overseas. It is not unusual to request that volunteers make a commitment to spend at least three months working on a particular disaster.
It’s important to know that once a relief agency accepts a volunteer, they are responsible for that volunteer's well-being, including food, shelter, health and security. Untrained volunteers can actually do more harm than good. Resources are particularly strained during a disaster, and another person without the necessary technical skills and experience can be a considerable burden to an ongoing relief effort. Potential volunteers should also keep in mind that relief work is a profession, and that it takes a unique individual who can work effectively in incredibly difficult conditions. Discuss insurance options with the volunteer organization, your insurance agent and your medical insurance organization to make sure that you and your loved ones are covered if anything were to happen to you in the disaster area.
If you truly are interested in becoming a qualified volunteer, start small and start locally. Volunteers typically have a critical skill such as Physician, Nurse, Emergency Medical Technician. If you do not have these skills, consider taking an EMT course and becoming certified. Then volunteer with the local fire department to keep your skills sharp and learn the "soft skills" such as how to effectively engage with a person who is hurt and in crisis. Volunteering in your own community through a variety of programs will lend you experience in dealing with and helping people in need. Your local Red Cross can provide you with information on their disaster management training courses, which are held throughout the year. To find your local Red Cross, please visit the Red Cross Web site.
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Top 10 Tax Time Tips
Help your tax filing process run smoother
Here are the Internal Revenue Service's top 10 tips that will help your tax filing process run smoother:
1. Start gathering your records. Collect all documents and forms you'll need (receipts, canceled checks and any other supporting documents regarding income or deductions).
2. Be on the lookout for your W-2s and 1099s.
3. Use Free file. If you've made $58,000 or less, you qualify for free tax software that is offered through a private-public partnership. Free File Fillable Forms, the electronic versions of IRS paper forms are also available if you are comfortable preparing your own tax return no matter your income level. Visit www.irs.gov/freefile to review your options.
4. Try IRS e-file. This is the safe, easy and most common way to file a tax return. If you owe taxes, there are payment options to file immediately and pay by the deadline. Or combine e-file with direct deposit to get your refund in as little as 10 days.
5. Consider other filing options. Weigh all the different options and find the one that best suits your needs. You may even be eligible for free face-to-face help at an IRS office or volunteer site.
6. Consider direct deposit. You'll receive your refund faster than waiting for a paper check.
7. Visit the IRS website again and again. Here you'll find forms, publications, tips, answers to frequently asked questions and updates on tax law changes.
8. Remember this number: 17. IRS Publication 17 is a comprehensive collection of information for taxpayers.
9. Review! Review! Review! Don't rush...mistakes will slow the processing of your return. Double check all Social Security numbers and math calculations on your return.
10. Don't panic. If you run into a problem go to http://www.irs.gov or call toll-free 800-829-1040.
Information provided by IRS.gov more -
Career Central Mobile One Stop Schedule
Meet the Mobile One Stop
Career Central has added a new level of service to the region. The Mobile Unit is a self-contained resource room on wheels with twelve computer stations; satellite Internet and telecommunications; printing, copying, and fax capacity; and total mobility.
Employers can use the Mobile Unit to anchor employee on-site recruitment efforts, job fairs, testing and training.
Job Seeking customers can search for work, create and print resumes, access local and statewide job listings, and receive referrals to and information about the programs of Career Central.
February's Mobile One Stop Schedule at Pasco County Library branches
Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2011
Location: New River Branch Library
34043 State Road 54
Zephyrhills, FL 33543Time: 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM
Thursday, Feb. 3, 2011
Location: Hugh Embry Library
14215 4th Street
Dade CityTime: 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2011
Location: Hudson Branch Library
8012 Library RoadHudsonTime: 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Friday, Feb. 11, 2011
Location: Land O'Lakes Branch Library
2818 Collier ParkwayLand O'LakesTime: 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Wednesday, Feb.16, 2011
Location: Hudson Branch Library
8012 Library RdHudsonTime: 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Thursday, Feb. 17, 2011
Location: Hugh Embry Branch Library14215 4th StreetDade CityTime: 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Friday, Feb. 25, 2011
Location: Land O'Lakes Branch Library
2818 Collier ParkwayLand O LakesTime: 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Contact: Dave Hamilton
Phone: (352) 279-4400
Email: dhamilton@CareerCentral.jobs
Click here for further scheduling information for the Career Central Mobile One Stop bus.Information provided by Career Central, a service of the Pasco-Hernando Workforce Board, Inc
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Pasco County Extension Office Seminars
Below you will find a listing of the seminars offered through the Pasco County Extension Officefor the months of February and March 2011:
FEBRUARY
Cistern Workshop - The Next Level of Rainwater Harvesting.
Rainwater harvesting with a cistern allows you to operate an irrigation system using free rainwater. An expert in the cistern installation business will answer all of your questions about installing and operating this water-saving system in home landscapes.
Date & Time: 2/2/2011 (Wednesday) 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.Location: Booker Creek Preserve Educational Ctr.3940 Tarpon Springs Rd.Tarpon SpringsContact: BJ Jarvis 352-521-4288
What's Bugging your Trees?
Discover the best way to identify pests and other challenges that might be affecting trees in your landscape.
Date & Time: 2/12/2011 (Saturday) 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. (Free)
Location: Pasco Cooperative Extension
Pasco County Fairgrounds - Clayton HallDade City
Edible Landscape Seminar
Come discover ways to make a garden both beautiful and edible.
Date & Time: 2/12/2011 (Saturday) 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. (Free)
Location: Land O'Lakes Community Center
5401 Land O'Lakes Blvd. (US 41)Land O'Lakes
Vegetable Gardening
Springtime is around the corner and it's time to start warm-season vegetables of tomato, pepper, squash, melons and more.
Date & Time: 2/19/2011 (Saturday) 10:00 - 11:00 (Free)
Location: Home Depot10017 US Highway 19Port Richey
MARCH
Green Industry Best Management Practices training (Pasco, Pinellas & Hillsborough Coop. Ext.)
This program is designed to give lawn and landscape professionals continuing education hours for certifications while learning more ways to increase the beauty of landscapes and conserving water through environmentally friendly landscape maintenance practices. To register, or for more information, please visit: http://gibmpcertificationbrookercreek20110302.eventbrite.com/
Date & Time: 3/2/2011 (Wednesday) 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Location: Booker Creek Preserve Educational Center3940 Tarpon Springs Rd.Tarpon SpringsRegistration: General Professional ($17)(by 2/28/2011) County Employee ($15)
Gardening Myths - What works; what doesn't
Date & Time: 3/5/2011 (Saturday) 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. (Free)
Location: Pasco Cooperative Extension
Pasco County Fairgrounds - Clayton Hall
Dade City
Bamboo Seminar
Check out this seminar to discover bamboo in many sizes, colors and types.
Date & Time: 3/12/2011 (Saturday) 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. (Free)
Location: Land O'Lakes Community Center
5401 Land O'Lakes Blvd. (US Highway 41)
Land O'Lakes
Growing Fruits in Pasco
Discover some of the plants well-suited to growing a bumper crop in Pasco!
Date & Time: 3/19/2011 (Saturday) 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. (Free)
Location: Home Depot
10017 US Highway 19
Port Richey
Information provided by the Pasco County Cooperative Extension, a joint effort between the USDA, the University of Florida, and the Board of County Commissioners.
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Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program
LIHEAP Can Help You Survive The Cold
moreThe Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides federal money to non-profit agencies and local governments so they can assist low-income families with home heating and cooling costs. LIHEAP helps in a variety of ways, including providing financial assistance to those who can't pay their bills and emergency assistance for people whose heat has been shut off.
LIHEAP AT A GLANCE:
- In Florida, assistance is not a monthly benefit.
- Depending on the funds available in your county, you may able to apply for help up to three times a year.
- The agency makes the payments directly to your utility company on your behalf.
WHAT ASSISTANCE DOES LIHEAP PROVIDE?
Your LIHEAP program may be able to offer you one or more of the following types of assistance:
- Bill payment assistance.
- Energy crisis assistance.
- Weatherization and energy-related home repairs.
WHAT INFORMATION DO I NEED TO APPLY? YOU MAY NEED THE FOLLOWING:
- Recent copies of your utility bills.
- A recent payroll stub or other proof that shows your current gross income.
- Documentation showing income from Social Security, Unemployment Insurance, Pension Funds, disability, etc.
- Final Utility Termination Notice (if you've received a shut-off notice from your energy company).
- Proof of present address (e.g., rent receipt, lease or deed, property tax bill).
- Proof of total members living in your household (e.g., birth certificates, school records, etc.).
- Social Security cards (or numbers) for all persons living in your household.
- Proof of U.S. citizenship or permanent residence.
You can find more information about LIHEAP online or you can call 1.866.NRG.NEAR (1.866.674.6327).
Other Electric Bill Payment Assistance Resources
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