Sunshine Health team enjoys learning, sharing with kids and advocates at Children's Week
Date: 01/23/18
Tallahassee, FL
Sunshine Health was proud to once again be in Tallahassee this month to celebrate Children's Week, an annual event designed to remind lawmakers to keep Florida's children at the forefront of their minds as they make decisions this 2018 Legislative Session.
Dozens of community partners, educators, lawmakers, corporate supporters, parents, teachers, volunteers, healthcare providers and not-for-profit organizations came together to help make sure all of Florida's children have a chance at a happy and healthy future.
The week kicked off Jan. 21 with the "Hanging of the Hands." More than 40,000 paper hands were sent in by children from about 500 schools, childcare centers and individuals across state, said Jason Zaborske, Children's Week statewide coordinator. The Sunshine Health team worked with dozens of volunteers to string the hands across the Capitol Rotunda.
On Monday, Sunshine Health was the spotlight sponsor of "My Jumpstart to the Real World," a day of learning sessions, games and, motivation put together by One Voice IMPAACT and the Florida Coalition for Children. Approximately 150 teenagers, many of whom will soon age out of foster care, learned life skills such as how to buy health insurance and how to be their own advocate. Sunshine Health's Kimberly Purinton and Chad Sedam led a session on health insurance, teaching the teens about the qualifications to remain on Medicaid and how to navigate health insurance on their own.
"It was inspiring," said Neiko Shea, Sunshine Health's Vice President of Child Welfare Programs. "The teens came ready to work and armed with questions about what they'll need to do to transition to adulthood. We're honored to be part of their support system."
On Day 3, Sunshine Health's Marketing Outreach team set up in the Capitol Courtyard to hand out goodie bags and sponsored the neighboring BJ's Party House face painting booth. More than 3,000 children flocked to the Capitol Courtyard to visit booths, collect promotional items, check out Storybook Village and give the dozens of community groups and corporations, like Sunshine Health, a chance to meet the kids we serve.
Janice Hawkins, a community relations representative, said working events like this is one of the best parts of her job.
"A little boy asked me for a football and when I said, ‘It's in your bag,' his eyes lit up like a Christmas tree and his smile was as wide as could be. It was priceless!"
Community Relations representatives Linda Stone and Susan Arends were inside the Capitol to talk to children's advocates and others about our Child Welfare Specialty Plan, which serves children in or adopted from the Child Welfare system.
Zaborske said what made Children's Week special this year was that there were more than 100 partners supporting and exhibiting at the event.
"Hosting an outdoor event in January, and having that much participation from partners and 3,500 children showing up is really amazing and shows what a very powerful event Children's Week is."