A new school year is right around the corner, and in Marion County, that means backpacks, new teachers, early mornings, and fresh starts. It also means one of the best opportunities of the year to reset healthy habits for the whole family.
At MCHD, we believe prevention is the foundation of a healthy community. Back-to-school season is the perfect reminder that the small, proactive choices we make every day, for ourselves and for our children, have a lasting impact on long-term health and wellbeing.
Here’s how we’re supporting Marion County families just in time for the start of a new school year and beyond.
Start the Year Strong: Preventive Health for Kids and Families
Before the first day of school, many families are focused on supply lists and new shoes. This is also the right time to schedule the appointments that can make a real difference in your child’s health throughout the year.
- Annual physicals and well-child visits help identify developmental concerns, growth issues, and chronic conditions early.
- Vision and hearing screenings are often the first step in identifying learning challenges that can be mistaken for behavioral issues in the classroom.
- Dental checkups set kids up for healthy habits and catch problems before they become painful and costly.
- Immunizations can help keep kids in school and out of the doctor’s office.
Prevention is about avoiding illness and giving children the foundation they need to show up, focus, and thrive.
Need help navigating medical benefits or finding a provider? Community Home Project offers healthcare navigation appointments to help Marion County families access the care they need.
Learn more by calling 352-671-4186 or visiting mchdt.org/community-home-project.
FANS: Building Healthy Habits Where Kids Spend Their Days
For kids in Marion County schools, healthy habits are built at home and throughout the school day, and our Fitness and Nutrition in Schools (FANS) program is right there with them.
FANS works directly with Marion County schools to support physical education, school gardens, nutrition education, and family wellness events. From PE spotlights to garden taste tests to Family Science Nights, FANS creates meaningful opportunities for students to connect movement and nutrition to their everyday lives.
When kids learn healthy habits early, those habits follow them. That is the long game, and FANS is playing it every day.
Learn more at mchdt.org/fans-fitness-and-nutrition-in-schools.
AMP: Keeping Parents and Caregivers Healthy Too
Back to school is a big time for our kids, and a natural reset for the adults in their lives. When parents and caregivers prioritize their own health, the whole family benefits.
The Active Marion Project (AMP) offers free workplace wellness programs, step challenges, health education, and the AMP 2 app, making it easy for Marion County adults to stay active and engaged no matter how busy the school year gets.
AMP also offers free Hands-Only CPR training for businesses and organizations through a partnership with GatorCPR, because being prepared is one of the most important things any adult can do.
Contact us to learn more at amp@mchdt.org, 352-619-4303, and visit mchdt.org/amp for the latest updates.
Beacon Point: Supporting the Whole Child and the Whole Family
Back to school can also bring stress, anxiety, and emotional challenges for children and families alike. For some, those challenges go deeper.
Beacon Point is our integrated care center offering behavioral health services, substance use treatment, recovery support, and primary care all in one place. Services are designed to support the whole person, and are available to all Marion County residents regardless of ability to pay.
If your family is navigating mental health concerns, emotional well-being, or other behavioral health challenges as the school year begins, support is available.
Fill out an inquiry form at mchdt.org/beacon-point/beacon-point-contact-us.
Healthy Ocala: Your Guide to Local Resources
Not sure where to start? Healthy Ocala is a free online directory connecting Marion County residents with local health and community resources, from behavioral health and food assistance to employment, education, senior services, and more.
Whether you are a parent looking for after-school programs, a caregiver navigating healthcare, or an individual looking for support,
Healthy Ocala makes it easier to find the right help in your own community.
Explore the directory at mchdt.org/healthyocala.
Make Prevention Part of Your Back-to-School Routine
The start of a new school year is full of possibilities. It’s a chance to build better routines, connect with community resources, and invest in the long-term health of your family.
MCHD funds programs and partnerships across Marion County that make prevention possible every day. From the classroom to the clinic to the community, we are here to help every Marion County resident live a longer, healthier life.
Learn more about MCHD and our programs at mchdt.org or call us at 352-622-3662.
