FIELD GUIDE

TO BACK-TO-SCHOOL

The Ultimate Roadmap to Help Florida Families
Prepare for a Happy, Healthy School Year

Are You Ready for Back-to-School?

Back-to-school season is gearing up! Make sure your family is prepared by planning ahead of time...

Schedule a wellness visit that includes a physical exam

Schedule appointments for required vaccine and booster shots

Refill medications your child might need in case of emergency

Gather necessary paperwork to notify your child's school of any food allergies

Get your child on a consistent bedtime routine

Stock up on school supplies

Plan healthy school lunches

Count on Florida KidCare for high-quality, affordable health and dental coverage

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What Documents Do I Need to Enroll My Child in School?

A certified copy of your child’s birth certificate
Proof of residency
Vaccination records
Emergency contact details for parents or guardians

Birth Certificate

You can order extra copies of your child's birth certificate online with Vitalchek, through the Bureau of Vital Statistics or from your local county health department.

Copies will come in handy when registering your child at a new school or transferring to a different school, as well as to apply for a passport, obtain a driver's license or get a replacement Social Security card. For more information, visit FloridaHealth.gov.

Proof of Residency

You can show proof of residency by providing one of the following documents:

Florida driver's license or Florida identification card

Utility bill, cable bill or home phone bill

Pay stub showing current address

Residential rent agreement (lease) or receipt from rent payment

Military order showing the residence address

Vaccination Records

Florida requires certain vaccines to be administered before children may enroll and attend school. Your primary care physician can provide a vaccination card to record the date and type of vaccinations your child receives.

It's important to hold onto this document or upload a digital copy to a secure cloud storage account.

Your child's back-to-school immunizations are FREE* with Florida KidCare.

*You may be subject to a $5 office visit copay; talk to your child's doctor for more information.

Not a Florida KidCare family?
With year-round enrollment, now is the time to apply!

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Signs of Stress:
What to Watch Out For

A little bit of stress is totally normal before and during the school year (for parents AND kids) - but too much stress can affect your child's physical and mental health.

Irritability

Sleep Issues

Social Isolation

Low Motivation

Difficulty Focusing

Headaches or Stomach Aches

Navigating Stress Through
Healthy Habits

Get Enough Sleep

Ensure that your child gets 8-10 hours of sleep each night, which helps them grow and develop normally, pay attention throughout the day and maintain overall health.

Eat Healthy

What we eat impacts our mood and energy. Encourage a balanced diet of vegetables, fruit and whole grains - all of which have been linked to a decrease in symptoms of depression.

Find Hobbies

Encourage your child to find activities or hobbies they enjoy and incorporate these actions into their daily routine.

Limit Screen Time

Too much time spent in front of a screen - whether a TV, tablet, computer or smartphone - can be detrimental to your child's mental health. Encourage your child to step away from the screen and participate in activities that make them happy.

Sweat Out the Stress

Exercising releases chemicals in our brains that relieve stress and make us happy. Get your child active by going for a walk or bike ride, or enjoying a game of basketball - the options are endless!

Talk to Someone

Encourage your child to talk to someone about their feelings - whether that's you, a school counselor or another trusted adult. This will help them find new ways to manage stress.