Summer 2025

Welcome to the newest edition of Whole You, a newsletter from Sunshine Health Pathway to Shine, formerly known as our Child Welfare Specialty Plan. In this issue, you’ll find tips for keeping kids healthy as they go back to school, ideas for starting your day with a healthy breakfast and where to go when you need care.

Did you miss our Spring newsletter?

Looking for a new after school activity for your child? Children under age 21 can get up to 8 swimming lessons from a local YMCA as part of their Sunshine Health benefits.

Do they need a buddy? Caregiver swimming lessons are available for ages 18 years and older. If you live in an area where a YMCA is not nearby, you may be able to use a local swimming lesson vendor.

Reach out to your child’s Care Manager or visit Benefits to learn more.

As kids head back to school, it’s the perfect time to teach them how to stay healthy. Here are some simple, effective ways to help protect your child, and others, from back-to-school germs:

Scrub Away. Washing hands is one of the best ways to keep germs from spreading and to keep kids healthy. Teach your child to wash with soap and water every time. They should scrub their entire hand, front and back, for at least 20 seconds. Always wash hands:

• Before and after eating
• After using the restroom
• After playing outside
• After sneezing or coughing
• After playing with an object that many have touched, like a toy or ball

Children can be forgetful. It is a good idea to keep hand sanitizer in their backpack or desk to help keep hands clean. 

Educate Early. Before your kids head to school, talk with them about where germs live and how they spread. Germs like to hide in water fountains, lunch tables and trays, keyboards and door handles. Teach your kids about prevention and how to avoid germs as much as they can. Keeping kids healthy in schools can be an important step to limit sick days.

Build Up Immune System. There are many ways to boost your child’s immune system. Healthy eating is one of them. Adding more fruits and veggies is a great way to do this. Exercise also helps. Go for a bike ride, take a family walk or play a favorite activity. And do not forget that getting plenty of rest is key. Lack of sleep raises the chance of catching germs in schools.

Cover Up. A tissue is the best choice when sneezing or coughing. Teach your child to use the sleeve of their inner elbow if they do not have a tissue. It is important to never use hands. This helps to limit the spread of germs.

Did you know that your child can earn My Health Pays® rewards from Sunshine Health Pathway to Shine when they complete certain healthy actions? Activities such as completing health screenings, yearly wellness checks, and more can lead to dollar rewards.

You can use your rewards to make purchases or pay for a variety of services:

• Everyday items at Walmart
• Utilities
• Telecommunication
• Transportation
• Childcare
• Education
• Rent

Visit Rewards to learn more about My Health Pays®!

Starting your day with protein can lead to you having more energy and a better metabolism. Protein also helps your child build muscle. Here are five easy, healthy and tasty ideas:

• Make Oatmeal. Oatmeal is a great choice to keep you feeling full until lunch. Use skim milk instead of water to boost protein. Top with fresh fruit and nuts to add crunch and extra nutrition.
• Go Greek. Plain Greek yogurt helps your muscle, hair and skin health. Dress it up by making your own chia peanut butter yogurt bowl. Start with yogurt as your base and add two tablespoons of natural peanut butter. Next, add chia seeds. Top it off with chopped blueberries and bananas. Use plain yogurt or make smart choices that limit added sugar. Read the nutrition label to make the best choice.
• Pick Peanut Butter. A single serving is packed with protein. This makes it a better choice on whole grain toast than butter or jelly. Be sure to measure out two tablespoons. Also check the label to check for added sugar. These steps help you keep calories in check.
  Try peanut butter, strawberry and banana quesadillas for another yummy option. To make, spread one tablespoon of natural peanut butter on two whole wheat tortillas. Top one tort

Need healthy food to add to your cart? Come to our monthly Food Pantry!

Sunshine Health Community Connection Centers offer shelf-stable foods at no cost on the third Thursday of each month. All are welcome* on a first-come, first-served basis, from 9 a.m. to noon.

All are welcome* on a first-come, first-served basis, no appointment needed. Find a Sunshine Health Community Connections Center near you.

*You or your child do not need to be a Sunshine Health Pathway to Shine member to receive food.

It’s important to have a good relationship with your child’s Primary Care Provider (PCP) and to visit their doctor at least once a year, even if they are feeling well. Your child’s PCP can also help if they have a cold, earache, sore throat or rash and can help with sprains, minor cuts or burns. Your child’s PCP is also a good choice if they have stress or anxiety.

Do you need help after hours? Many PCPs have an after-hours line with someone available to answer your questions or concerns. Contact your child’s PCP to find out if this service is available.

Can’t make it to see your child’s doctor in person? Sunshine Health covers telehealth visits! Call your child’s PCP to find out if telehealth is an option. If you can’t get an appointment, try one of our telehealth providers.

To find a PCP or pharmacy near you, visit our Find-A-Provider tool. If you’re not sure where to go for the care you need, our 24/7 nurse advice line can help you at 1-855-463-4100 (TTY 1-800-955-8770). If you have quick questions about medicines your local pharmacist could help. Your pharmacist is there to provide good advice at no cost to you, helping you manage your prescriptions.

Ask your local pharmacist about:

• Your prescriptions or over-the-counter medicines
• Side effects from medicines and how to handle them
• Medication refills
• How your medicine works
• Which medicines are safe to use with each other
• How to stay on track using your medicines
• Over-the-counter medicines when you have a cold or the flu, a headache or a sore throat
• Questions about vaccinations
• How to use blood pressure monitors, inhalers or glucose monitors

Whether it's your child’s first day of kindergarten, they are transitioning to middle or high school, or just dealing the “end-of-summer” blues, the return to school can be a stressful time. It's normal for children to feel anxious about these changes. Here’s how you can help ease their worries:

• Communicate: Encourage your child to express their feelings about going back to school. Make them feel understood by reassuring them that it's perfectly normal to feel anxious about these changes.
• Create Routines: A consistent routine fosters a sense of security in children. Establishing a regular sleep schedule, eating healthy meals and setting aside time for homework and relaxation can help children adjust to the new school year schedule.
• Attend School Orientation: Meeting teachers, locating classrooms and becoming familiar with the school layout can help your child feel confident on the first day of school. If there isn’t a scheduled orientation, or you are unable to attend, make time to visit the school beforehand to help your child get familiar with the layout. It can also be helpful to practice morning routines.
• Encourage In-Person Social Interactions: Help your child spend time with classmates. Seeing friends and meeting new ones can make going back to school easier and more fun.

Did you know that your child can get help at school through Sunshine Health Pathway to Shine? Our School Liaisons can help you navigate the school system. Visit School Resources  to learn more. 

Get Connected with Care Management

Does your child have special or complex medical needs? Sunshine Health Pathway to Shine offers Care Management services that may be able to help. If you or your child needs assistance with finding resources, specialists or other support, they could be paired with a Care Manager to give them specialized attention. They can help you find resources to improve their health.

If you think that Care Management may be able to help your child, call Member Services at 1-855-463-4100 for more information and ask to speak to a Care Manager.

Find Help with Sunshine Health Connects

Do you need help finding food, housing or another resource? It’s just a few clicks away. Sunshine Health Connects makes it easy to access free and reduced-cost programs and services in your area.

The tool connects you to community-based organizations that offer different types of support. Finding help is easy with our free, online tool. Search our network of more than 5,000 partners throughout Florida. Just enter your ZIP code. Then you can search for help with these topics:

• Food
• Housing
• Goods
• Transit
• Healthcare
• Money
• Care
• Education
• Work
• Legal

Pave the Way to a Brighter Future with Sunshine Health Works

At Sunshine Health Pathway to Shine, we’re committed to helping you achieve success. Whether you're starting your career, changing paths, or reentering the workforce, our Sunshine Health Works program is here to support you every step of the way.

Our program offers:

• Job skills development
• Healthcare certifications
• Connections to local career opportunities

Get Started with the Sunshine Health Works Launchpad

The Launchpad is an easy-to-use online tool for members aged 16 and up. It’s designed to help you explore career paths, build skills and prepare for job opportunities. With the Launchpad, you can access:

• Self-assessments
• Job search tools
• Career planning resources
• Skills development modules
• Resume assistance

Access the Sunshine Health Works Launchpad, powered by My Work Ready, through your Secure Member Account and take the first step toward a brighter future—starting today.