RSV is a viral infection that is very common in the winter, especially in young children. While most people with RSV have mild cold symptoms, it can cause severe illness and hospitalization.

This year, the virus is showing up earlier than usual, and more children are becoming sick. Staff must understand RSV so they know what to watch for and what to do. Staff should also share information about RSV with families so they know how this illness can affect their children.

The National Center on Health, Behavioral Health, and Safety (NCHBHS) has a new resource to help everyone learn more about RSV, including what to do when it’s more than just a cold.

Access the Resource

Select the link to view the resource: https://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/publication/respiratory-syncytial-virus-rsv

All ECLKC pages are translated into Spanish. Select the Español button on the top right corner to see the Spanish translation.

The City of Orlando will waive parking fees for the following parking garages beginning at noon Wednesday, Nov. 9, for any resident who would like to park a car in a covered garage.

• Central Boulevard Garage, 53 W. Central Blvd.
• Jefferson Street Garage, 62 W. Jefferson St.
• Library Garage, 112 E. Central Blvd.
• Orange County Administration Garage, 300 Liberty Ave.

This is for passenger vehicles only and height restrictions must be adhered to. No oversized vehicles, campers, boats, trailers, watercraft, etc. will be permitted to enter. All cars should be removed by noon Friday, Nov. 11.

The Florida Department of Education and Volunteer Florida announced the official launch of the Native American Heritage Month student contests in partnership with the Seminole Tribe of Florida. This year’s contests are focused on the theme of “Celebrating the Achievements of Native American Floridians.” Native American Heritage Month is recognized and celebrated in the United States from Nov. 1 to Nov. 30.

“I am proud to honor and celebrate Native American Heritage Month to showcase the rich culture and their contributions to our country,” said Volunteer Florida CEO Josie Tamayo. “We recognize the resiliency and strength of Native Americans and continue to empower their voices for future generations.”

“Native Americans in Florida have made incredible contributions to our state and nation,” said Education Commissioner Manny Diaz, Jr. “We are proud of our rich Native American history and look forward to celebrating their many achievements.”

“The Seminole Tribe plays an important part in Florida’s history and culture, and we sincerely appreciate being included in this meaningful educational outreach program that reaches students across our state,” said Marcellus Osceola Jr., Chairman of the Seminole Tribe of Florida. “We want to thank Governor Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis, as well as Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr., for their continuing commitment to the Seminole Tribe and the native people of Florida.”

All Florida students are invited to participate in academic and creative contests based on this year’s theme. Students in grades K-3 are invited to participate in an art contest, while students in grades 4-12 are invited to participate in an essay contest. Additionally, students, parents, teachers, and principals are invited to nominate full-time educators of all student grades for the Native American Heritage Month Excellence in Education Award. Prizes for contest winners are provided by the Seminole Tribe of Florida. All contest entries must be received by 5 p.m. (ET) on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022.

About the Student Art Contest

Gov. Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis’ Native American Heritage Month Art Contest is open to all Kindergarten through third-grade students in Florida. Each student will submit original, two-dimensional artwork based on this year’s theme. Four statewide winners will be selected, and each winner will receive a $100 art supplies gift card and a 1-year pass to Florida state parks.

About the Student Essay Contest

Gov. Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis’ Native American Heritage Month Essay Contest is open to all fourth through twelfth-grade students in Florida. Each student will submit one essay no longer than 500 words based on this year’s theme. Six winners will be selected: two elementary school students (grades 4–5), two middle school students (grades 6–8), and two high school students (grades 9–12). Each winner will receive a Two–Year Florida College Plan scholarship and a $100 gift card for school supplies.

In the contest, students are encouraged to write about a Native American who has had an impactful and inspiring effect on their community whose story should be shared. The subject of the essay should be a Floridian. Some examples are:

• Betty Mae Tiger Jumper, the first female chairwoman of the Seminole Tribe of Florida. Prior to being elected as the first female chief in 1967, Betty Mae Tiger Jumper was a nurse and was co-founder of the newspaper Seminole News, which has since become the Seminole Tribune.
• Osceola, an outspoken advocate for Seminole rights in the 1800s, led the Seminoles against forced removal from their lands during the Second Seminole War.
• Micanopy, born near St. Augustine in the late 1700s, became chief of the Seminoles in 1819. During his time as chief, the United States purchased Florida from Spain and he served as the Seminole chief during the Second Seminole War.
• Billy Bowlegs III, born in 1862, was considered one of the greatest hunters and guides in Florida of all time. He lived to be nearly 103 years old, and was a spokesperson for the Seminoles, helping document and inform others about their history.

About the Excellence in Education Award

Gov. Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis’ Native American Heritage Month Excellence in Education Award Contest is open to all full-time educators in an elementary, middle, or high school in Florida. Four winners will be selected, and nominations may be submitted by a principal, teacher, parent/guardian, or student. Excellence in Education award winners will receive $2,500 and a set of classroom books.

Contest Entries and Nominating Forms and Guidelines

Student contest forms and educator nomination forms must be mailed to Volunteer Florida or submitted online at www.FloridaNativeAmericanHeritage.com.

Volunteer Florida

Native American Heritage Month Committee
1545 Raymond Diehl Road, Suite 250
Tallahassee, Florida 32308

All entries must be received by 5 p.m. (ET) on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022.

For more information about the contests, please visit www.FloridaNativeAmericanHeritage.com.

Over the past two weeks, the School Readiness and VPK Early Learning Family Portal has not been sending out emails that would notify you about such things as setting up a new account, information about your eligibility and/or redetermination for continued services. Also, you may not have been able to reset your account password.  

These issues have now been resolved and you should have received all emails from the system to the address you use to log into your online Early Learning Family Portal. If you need to have your password reset, click the “forgot password” link to be sent a new temporary password and follow the email prompts. Go to Early Learning Family Portal

Please take a moment to login to your account to be sure it is working correctly. If you continue to have issues with your Family Portal account, please call us at 407-522-2252 ext. 2179 or click here.

While many families claimed the child tax credit last year, there are millions more who are eligible but have not yet signed up for the program. 

There’s still time for your family to get the Child Tax Credit, stimulus & other federal money! 

How much money is available? 

• Up to $3,600 per child with the 2021 Child Tax Credit 
• Up to $1,400 per person for any missed stimulus payments for adults and children/dependents
• Other payments for families who had earnings last year

Who is eligible? 

Families can get this money even if they: 

• Have never done taxes before or if they have not in the past few years. 
• Had little or no earned income. 
• Immigrant families without a social security number can get payments for their children with a social security number. 

Are you eligible?

You could be eligible even if you have low or no income or don’t usually file taxes. More people are eligible to get this money than in other years. Sign up if you have not already filed a 2021 tax return.

How can the money be used? 

Families can use it to pay for food, rent, child care or to cover any other expenses they may have.

Community Coordinated Care for Children, Inc., has officially secured a new date in Spring 2023 for the fundraising event that was postponed due to the effects of Hurricane Ian in Central Florida.

The 4C 5K Fun Run/Walk will take place on Saturday, April 22, at Harbor Park located at Lake Baldwin in Orlando. For more information and sign up, click here.

The effects of Hurricane Ian have left the 4C 5K Fun Run/Walk race venue flooded. Since Harbor Park may not be usable on Oct. 22, the 4C fundraising event has been postponed until Spring 2023, and a new date will be announced soon. We appreciate your patience and commitment in supporting 4C’s Head Start programs and helping us kick-off our Inaugural 5K event in early 2023. For more information, click here.

The start of the annual Open Enrollment period for Marketplace health coverage is less than a month away. Have you contacted your Health Insurance Navigator yet? Call 877-564-5031 to schedule an appointment for free enrollment or re-enrollment assistance. 

The Open Enrollment dates for 2023 coverage are November 1, 2022, to January 15, 2023. As a reminder, the upper limit to qualify for financial assistance was eliminated under the American Rescue Plan Act and continued for three more years under the Inflation Reduction Act. 

Call 877-564-5031 to schedule an appointment for free enrollment or re-enrollment assistance or click here.

For more information, in four languages, click the buttons below:

Our offices will be closed today, Tuesday, September 27, at 2 p.m. and remain closed through Friday, September 30. A limited number of staff will be available online and by phone, (407) 522-2252, until noon tomorrow, Wednesday, September 28. Regular business hours will resume on Monday, October 3, 2022. Plans may change based on the impact of Hurricane Ian, so please check our website and social media for updates.

Due to the accelerated weather conditions Hurricane Ian is producing, the 4C Education & Training Department is suspending the exam sessions scheduled for Wednesday, September 28, and Saturday, October 1. In addition, the state-mandated class scheduled for Wednesday, September 28, has been cancelled. Please refer to your email for additional information regarding rescheduling dates for classes and exams.

If you have any questions, please contact our department at 407-532-4158 or by sending an email to mbello@4cflorida.org.