The Department of Children and Families has several programs that can help your family. They include food assistance, Medicaid, temporary cash assistance or refugee assistance. Each of these programs has its own eligibility rules, but you may apply for any (or all) of these programs one time using the same application. For more information and to apply visit the Florida Department of Children and Families ACCESS website: www.myflorida.com/accessflorida/ or call 1-866-762-2237.
If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant there are steps you can take for a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby. Visit the Florida Department of Health’s pregnancy website to learn more: www.floridahealth.gov/programs-and-services/womens-health/pregnancy/index.html
Did you know you can receive FREE text messages directly to your phone with information about your pregnancy and baby? Visit www.text4baby.org or sign up to receive these messages by texting BABY (or BEBE for Spanish) to 511411.
WIC (Women Infants and Children) is a nutrition program for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding or who have recently been pregnant, infants and children under five. To find out if you are eligible for WIC services, visit www.floridahealth.gov/programs-and-services/wic/wic-eligibility.html or call 1-800-342-3556.
“Safe Haven” is a safety net for both the mother and the newborn infant. It allows mothers, fathers or whoever is in possession of an unharmed newborn, approximately seven days old or less, to anonymously leave them with someone at a safe haven. For more information visit http://asafehavenfornewborns.com/