Marion County Community Health Survey

Alachua County Community Health Survey

The Alachua County community—including residents, healthcare and social services providers, businesses and faith-based organizations—are invited to share their views on the county’s health and healthcare by taking a 10-minute survey. Participants will be entered to win a $30 gift card. The survey will be open from Jan. 15 to March 2. Survey results, along with research and health-related data, will be used in a Community Health Needs Assessment to be completed in summer 2019. Hard copies of the surveys are also available. For more […]

January 16, 2019

Alachua County invited to share views on health and healthcare

WellFlorida News Release
Alachua County residents, healthcare and social services providers, businesses and faith-based organizations are invited to share their views about health and healthcare in the county by taking a 10-minute survey. Participants will have the opportunity to win a $30 gift card.

The surveys are available at www.WellFlorida.org (select “Survey”). To receive a printed version of the surveys, or for additional information regarding the surveys, email Chris Abarca or call 352-727-3767.

The survey will be open from Jan. 15 to March 2. […]

January 15, 2019

World AIDS Day

Today, an estimated 1.2 million Americans have HIV. In 2016, the South accounted for more HIV diagnoses than all other regions (Northeast, West and Midwest) combined, representing 52 percent of all HIV and AIDS diagnoses in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This World AIDS Day (Dec. 1), WellFlorida recognizes the personal losses due to HIV and our commitment to fight the spread of the disease.

In 2017, HIV was the 8th leading cause of death for people ages 25-44 in […]

November 29, 2018

Passage of local measures should inspire pride

Gainesville Sun Editorial

Alachua County voters have plenty to be proud about after Tuesday’s election, despite some state results that didn’t go the way many here had hoped.
Two county measures benefiting children passed Tuesday with strong support from voters. A half-cent sales tax increase to pay for repairs and improvements to public school facilities received 68 percent of the vote, while a measure establishing a Children’s Trust that will use a half-mill property tax increase to fund programs for children received almost 62 percent.

Credit goes […]

November 7, 2018

Columbia and Hamilton County Community Health Survey

The Florida Department of Health in Columbia and Hamilton counties, in partnership with WellFlorida Council, the local health planning council for North Central Florida, are encouraging county residents, healthcare providers and others to share their views on health by taking a 10-minute survey. The surveys are available here. Participants will be entered to win a $25 gift card.

The surveys will be open from Nov. 1 to Dec. 17. The Community Member Survey is for residents and individuals who live or work in Columbia or Hamilton county. The […]

October 31, 2018

Our kids can count on the Children’s Trust

Gainesville Sun
By Dorothy Thomas and Dorothy Benson

In the Nov. 6 election, Alachua County voters have the opportunity to create the Children’s Trust of Alachua County, which will solely focus on the health, well-being and success of our children.

The Children’s Trust has earned the endorsements of 34 local organizations, including The Sun, as well as endorsements from dozens of local leaders. They know that the Children’s Trust can be transformative for our community and that the money generated to fund the Children’s Trust will be […]

October 23, 2018

Award announced

Ocala Star Banner

WellFlorida, a health planning council and consultants for health causes, is an affiliate partner of two Healthy Start coalitions, which have a goal to reduce infant mortality, improve birth outcomes and promote healthy child development.

The WellFlorida Council was selected as a winner in the 25th National Health Information Awards. Marketing materials and health information for Heathy Start received a merit award for Total Health Information. Jill Dygert, WellFlorida’s Art Director and Communications Manager, is credited with the design and editing of the materials, […]

October 16, 2018

Contact Safe Routes to School for Events, Training and Grants

Safe Routes to Schools (SRTS) is a statewide program funded by the Florida Department of Transportation. WellFlorida Council provides SRTS in North Central Florida and the Big Bend area. SRTS aims to create safe, convenient and fun opportunities for children to walk and bicycle to and from schools. The goal is to increase the number of children walking and biking, increase safety, and reverse the trend towards childhood obesity and inactivity.

Safe Routes to Schools offers:
Free resources and training for teachers, schools and […]

October 11, 2018

Creating a Legacy for Children

Home Magazine Gainesville
By Dorothy Benson, Dorothy Thomas and Lita Tholen

There were more than 10,000 children born in Alachua County in the last five years. What services have they received? Have they had regular health checks? Are they ready for kindergarten? What about the older children? Are they reading on grade level? Do they have enriching afterschool and summer activities?

The Campaign for Children’s Trust will answer these questions as well as two more: What do ALL children need to succeed? How can we best support […]

October 8, 2018