Spring Edition - April 2021 |
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May is Mental Health
Awareness Month
During the month of May, we celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about the issue of mental health and its impact on children and families. May 7th is Children's Mental Health Awareness Day, a day to specifically show positive mental health is important to a child's growth and development. Florida KidCare can be a valuable resource for families, as mental and behavioral health services are a covered benefit for children. Behavioral and substance use services typically have a $0 copay per visit. Your child's health insurance plan may also have a nurse/behavioral health line that can be a call away when help is needed. Check with your child's health insurance plan to see if they offer this service. Their number can be found on your child's health insurance member ID card.
According to Mental Health America, if there is concern that a child may be experiencing a mental health problem, it is important for adults to seek help from a doctor or mental health professional. Just like with physical illness, treating mental health problems early may help to prevent a more serious illness from developing in the future.
Consider consulting a professional if your child:
- Feels very sad, hopeless or irritable
- Feels overly anxious or worried
- Is scared and fearful; has frequent nightmares
- Is excessively angry
- Uses alcohol or drugs
- Avoids people; wants to be alone all of the time
- Hears voices or sees things that aren’t there
- Can’t concentrate, sit still, or focus attention
- Needs to wash, clean things, or perform certain rituals many times a day
- Talks about suicide or death
- Hurts other people or animals; or damages property
- Has major changes in eating or sleeping habits
Unsure? Try A Mental Health Screen.
Taking a mental health screening at MHAscreening.org is one of the quickest and easiest ways to help determine if your child is experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition.
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The Parent Test is for parents of young people to determine if their child’s emotions, attention, or behaviors might be signs of a problem.
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The Youth Test is for young people (ages 11-17) who are concerned their emotions, attention, or behaviors might be signs of a problem.
What Parents Can Do:
- Care for your children’s mental health just as you do for their physical health.
- Pay attention to warning signs, and if you’re concerned there might be a problem, seek professional help.
- Let your children know that everyone experiences pain, fear, sadness, worry, and anger and that these emotions are a normal part of life; encourage them to talk about their concerns and to express their emotions.
- Be a role model—talk about your own feelings, apologize, don’t express anger with violence, and use active problem-solving skills.
- Encourage your children’s talents and skills, while also accepting their limitations. Celebrate your children’s accomplishments.
- Give your children opportunities to learn and grow, including being involved in their school and community and with other caring adults and friends.
- Think of “discipline” as a form of teaching, instead of physical punishment; set clear expectations and be consistent and fair with consequences for misbehavior; make sure to acknowledge both positive and negative behaviors.
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Can We Talk? Starting a conversation about substance use with your loved one
Watch this video courtesy of SAMHSA
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Young Adults -
It's Okay to Ask for Help
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), millions of young adults are living with a mental or substance use disorder and may not realize they have a disorder. These young adults may not be paying attention to the signs of the disorder and not seeking the help they need. SAMHSA's message for young adults is - it's okay to ask for help and there are resources available to families who might need support and assistance.
Find out how you can help a child with mental health or substance abuse issues by visiting SAMHSA's website.
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Depression in Children:
It may not always show up as sadness
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We have all heard the term “depression” before and may often use it to describe a time when we feel down. For people with depressive mood disorder, this is a recurrent problem. Depression is not just a passing mood, it’s a condition for which treatment is needed. Depressive mood can occur even when everything seems to be okay. This is a primary difference between depression and fleeting sadness that may occur because of things happening in your child’s life. About 3% of children and 8% of adolescents in the U.S. have depression. Children whose parents have depression are more likely to have depression.
In a child, depression may interfere with normal social activities, appetite or schoolwork. It can be easy to miss the signs of depression in a child.
Depression may present in a child as:
- Physical complaints such as headaches or stomach aches (that do not respond to treatment)
- Anger
- Changes in appetite
- Social withdrawal
- Trouble concentrating
- Low energy or need for a lot of sleep
- Feelings of guilt or worthlessness
- Behavior problems at school.
If you think your child is showing signs of depression, please speak to your child’s pediatrician. Depression is a treatable condition. Options include talk therapy and medication or a combination of these treatments. Your pediatrician can help decide what is best for your child. As with many health care conditions, the sooner the diagnosis is made, the better.
Source: Olunwa Ikpeazu, MD, MBA, FAAP (Author)
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Summer BreakSpot -
Free Meals for Kids and Teens
Administered by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the Summer BreakSpot program provides free meals for kids and teens 18 years and younger all summer long in a grab-and-go setting. A child only needs to show up during meal times to receive a meal. When schools are released for the summer, parents and families can locate a meal site using this interactive map. Parents can also find a location by:
- Dialing 2-1-1
- Texting the phrase "FOODFL" to 877-877
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Nutrition and Childhood Dental Health
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Tooth decay is the most common chronic childhood disease. Fortunately, practicing healthy eating habits is one way to help prevent cavities. The types and frequency of foods eaten plays an important role in the development and progression of dental disease. It is important to be aware of what your child eats and drinks, and how often this consumption occurs.
The first step to better childhood dental health through nutrition is to reduce exposure to sugar. This means paying attention not only to candy consumption, but also to sugary drinks (juices, sodas) and snacks (cookies, pastries) consumed. Read nutrition labels and make choices that contain the lowest amounts of sugar.
You will also want to avoid sticky and chewy foods that get trapped in teeth and are difficult for saliva to wash away. Focus on healthy fruits and vegetables (strawberries, celery) as snacks and increasing water intake.
How often your child snacks also contributes greatly to tooth decay. Frequent snacking provides a constant source of “fuel” for the bacteria in the mouth that help create cavities. Try to limit snacking between meals to no more than one to two times per day.
Certainly, your child can be allowed to have a special treat from time to time. Just be sure that they are brushing their teeth at least twice per day, flossing once per day, rinsing their mouth with water in between meals when a toothbrush is not available, and having regular dental check-ups every six months.
Source: Dr. Lesley Tenn, Argus Dental Director (Author)
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May is Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month
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May is Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month. However, asthma is a chronic illness that impacts children and families and not just during the month of May.
As an asthma educator, I oftentimes interact with parents and caregivers who do not fully understand the importance of achieving good asthma control.
The most common myth about asthma is that a child diagnosed with asthma will eventually outgrow their asthma. However, asthma is rarely outgrown – it often persists into adulthood.
Some parents see the symptoms of asthma go away as their child grows. This could be the result of the child’s lungs growing larger or the immune system adapting over time.
However, sensitivity to allergens as an asthma symptom trigger may still remain. And for many children, symptoms often reappear years later.
Make sure to have an updated asthma action plan, know your child’s symptoms and, more importantly, make sure you know how to use your child’s asthma devices.
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Soft Drinks Can Hurt Your Health
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The American Dental Association states that drinking soft drinks can increase your child’s risk for tooth decay which causes holes in the teeth called cavities.
A soft drink is a beverage that contains sugar, carbonation or acid. These drinks can include soda, juice and sports drinks which create a perfect home for bacteria causing decay and gum disease.
Do you know?
- Teens and young adults consume more sugar drinks than any other age groups
- Each can of regular soda contains 10 teaspoons of sugar
- Researchers now state that soda is one of the most significant causes of obesity in teens
So what should your child do?
- Reduce snacking – snacking allows harmful bacteria to produce acid.
- Drink water, 8-12 cups each day. Water washes sugars and acid off teeth and gums.
- Eat a piece of cheese after meals to help produce saliva, plus the calcium helps harden teeth.
- Chew a stick of gum sweetened with Xylitol. Xylitol can strengthen teeth, prevent growth of harmful bacteria, neutralize acids caused by bad bacteria and increase healthy saliva.
- Chew nuts, crisp apples, celery and carrots to help rid your mouth of food particles as you chew.
To stay healthy, your child should see a dentist every six months, avoid sugary foods and drinks, and brush and floss their teeth daily.
Source: Dr. Douglas Manning, DentaQuest Dental Director (Author)
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The Annual Visit That Can Help For a Lifetime
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We know that babies and small children should see a doctor annually. But as they grow older, these visits are just as important and not only because their school may require it. The American Academy of Pediatrics encourages every child and youth receive care through a family-centered medical home annually. Seeing the doctor every year can help track your child’s development and prevent illness. A medical home is a team approach, where the provider and staff work with parents to keep their kids both physically and emotionally healthy.
Some of the things a doctor checks for at these visits include that your child is up-to-date on their vaccinations, at a healthy weight and growing appropriately, heart-healthy and approved to participate in extra-curricular activities, particularly sports. They may check if your child has any vision changes or signs of depression.
We have all heard the expression, parenting doesn’t come with instructions, so think of your child’s health care provider as your partner. That annual visit is also a chance for you to discuss and get community resources that can help you and your child. These may include:
- Fitness and nutrition programs
- Schooling assistance
- Health care access for you, the parent or guardian
- Financial help
Just one visit a year to your child’s health care provider can provide benefits for you and your child that can last a lifetime.
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All About Asthma
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What is Asthma?
Asthma is a lung disease that makes it hard to breathe. There’s not a cure, but it can be treated. Symptoms are different for everyone but often include a cough, wheezing, shortness of breath and chest tightness.
What Causes Asthma?
Any allergy can cause asthma. Some common triggers are dust, mold, pollen and smoke. Even the weather can trigger an attack. When your body is exposed to the trigger, it tries to fight it. That’s what makes you cough and why it can be hard to breathe.
Does your Child Have Asthma?
If you think your child might have asthma, talk to their doctor. Describe any symptoms they might have. Your child may have to do some breathing tests to find out if they have asthma. If your child has asthma, do not worry, they are not alone. 26 million Americans have asthma, and it can develop at any time throughout their life.
How Can Asthma be Treated?
Talk with your child’s doctor about the best treatment options. Asthma medication helps a lot of people. Other people get allergy shots. You and your child’s doctor can help decide what will work best for your child.
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National Autism Awareness
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April is the month for national autism awareness! The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states 1 in 54 children in the U.S. show signs of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). ASD can affect children in many ways based on their genes and environment.
There is a range of conditions, such as:
- Repeated behaviors
- Trouble speaking
- Delay with social skills
- Sleep disorders
- Anxiety or depression
- Issues with attention
- Sensitivities to sound, sight, or touch
Primary care providers may see signs of ASD in a child as early as 18 months, but in most cases, by age two or three. Although these symptoms may make it harder for a person to meet their daily needs, many people with ASD live on their own with little to no support.
The earlier a child receives care for this diagnosis, the better chance they have of positive outcomes. Famous author Temple Grandin and actor Dan Aykroyd are two examples of how living with ASD does not affect personal success.
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Applications Available
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Step Up For Students administers five scholarship programs for Florida’s school children:
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The Florida Tax Credit and Family Empowerment Scholarship for K-12 children based on household income.
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The Gardiner Scholarship for children ages 3-22 who have certain special needs.
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The Hope Scholarship for K-12 children who are victims of bullying.
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The Reading Scholarship Accounts for public school students in grades three through five who struggle with reading. Students who are classified as English Language Learners, and who are enrolled in a program or receiving services that are specifically designed to meet the instructional needs of English Language Learner students, will receive priority.
Step Up for Students is currently accepting applications for the Florida Tax Credit and Family Empowerment scholarships. In order to assure timely processing for a full scholarship, Step Up needs to receive the application and all required documents by June 1, 2021. Step Up will continue to accept applications after June 1, but cannot assure those received after that date will be processed in time to receive a full award.
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Contact Florida KidCare
1-888-540-KIDS (5437)
Monday – Friday
7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. (ET)
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