CRESTVIEW —  Sacred Heart Children's Hospital is spreading the word about Florida KidCare health insurance, a federally funded health insurance option for children under age 19.

"We are working on behalf of the state, trying to get children enrolled," Nora Bailey, a consultant for Sacred Heart Children's Hospital, said, adding that many residents may be unaware of the program.

"Florida has traditionally had a very low percentage of eligible people who are enrolled," Bailey said.

Florida KidCare provides lower rates than most insurance companies and employer health plans, Bailey said. Uninsured children under age 19 who are U.S. citizens or qualified non-citizens are eligible for the program. Other restrictions, including income requirements, apply.

Following a recent federal grant, Sacred Heart Children's Hospital has hired four community health workers to help families apply for Florida KidCare insurance. Their coverage area includes Okaloosa, Escambia, Santa Rosa and Walton counties.

"My role is go out into the community and spread the word," Dione Wilson, one such health worker, said.

Wilson, a married father of two girls, became involved with the program after discovering how beneficial Florida KidCare insurance would be to his family.

He earned $55,000 annually and was covered along with his wife by an employer's health insurance policy. But the household's finances became less manageable after he added Jessica, his youngest daughter, to the plan. 

"It went to ($)400 every two weeks, so that was ($)800 every month," Wilson said. "I couldn't afford that; it was like a house payment."

 Wilson reached out to Medicaid, but learned his household income was too high to qualify. Medicaid, a state and federally funded program, provides medical coverage to low-income individuals and families. The Social Security Administration or the Department of Children and Families determines eligibility.

Wilson soon learned about Florida KidCare, which he said covered Jessica's health care at a reasonable cost.

For instance, $140 per month might cover a child; rates vary based on the household income, he said.

The plans — which allow families to choose their children's physicians — cover doctor and hospital visits and medical procedures. In addition, they cover prescriptions, vision, hearing and dental care, according to the Florida KidCare website.

Enrollment is easy, Wilson said.

"The good thing is we're here to actually assist them throughout the entire enrollment process. We refer them to different organizations if they need help," he said.

On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, Wilson works from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. out of an office inside Mt. Zion AME Church, 502 McDonald St. Appointments can also be made.

Thomas Boni contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Organization spreads word about Florida KidCare insurance

FORT WALTON BEACH — A seasonal hiring fair for year-round, full-time, part time and seasonal jobs is 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 27 at the Niceville Community Center.

The fair — planned by the Workforce Development Board of Okaloosa and Walton Counties' Veteran Services team — is free for job seekers and employers. Job seekers are encouraged to bring resumes and dress for success to increase their chances of being hired, organizers said.

Space is available for additional employers to participate. Call Jerry McDaniel, 833-7587, extension 217, to secure a table.

“We are thrilled that we are able to offer this opportunity for both employers and job seekers,” Linda Sumblin, the board's executive director, said.

Call 689-7823 for more information on the job fair. Additional information is available online at employflorida.com.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Employers wanted for Feb. 27 seasonal hiring fair in Niceville

CRESTVIEW — The days of a Florida ex-spouse potentially paying alimony even after death may end if reform bills working their way through the Legislature make it to the governor's desk.

"What we are talking about is trying to put fairness into the law," John Fromularo, Northwest Florida representative of Florida Alimony Reform, said while speaking to the Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce Government Issues Committee.

Alimony types include "bridge the gap," which helps the ex-spouse during a transition from being married to single; durational, from two years to the marriage's length; rehabilitative, paid until an ex-spouse is self-supporting; and permanent, Fromularo said.

House bill 231, co-sponsored by area Rep. Matt Gaetz, and Senate bill 718 would reform five areas, as follows:

•Remove "permanent alimony."

"We have people paying permanent alimony on four-, six- or 10-year marriages," Fromularo said.

Permanent alimony may dissuade divorced people from remarrying because they want to avoid paying alimony if their next marriage fails or they're receiving money they would lose if they remarry.

People paying permanent alimony generally must carry alimony insurance to ensure payments continue if they die before their former spouse, Fromularo said.

•Provide the right to retire at federal retirement age without continued alimony payments.

"This is a real hot point," Fromularo said. "Now you're 55. What are you going to do the next 10 or 15 years to continue paying alimony?

"Americans should have the right to retire. This is like indentured servants, except indentured servants had a period of time to be set free."

•Set alimony based on the average of both spouses' incomes.

"You can't take a married couple, break it in half and still maintain the same standard of living," Fromularo said. "(Currently), there is no formula …. We need to take away some of that discretion of the judges."

•Block "second" spouses' income as a factor for additional alimony.

"(Currently), if the alimony payer remarries into a better situation, the ex-spouse can decide his or her needs went up and can demand more alimony," Fromularo said. "If you get remarried and you're doing better, that doesn't mean that your ex-spouse should get a raise."

•Provide the right to modify a judgment.

Formularo doesn't dispute the need for alimony, but he said it shouldn't be permanent.

Crestview native and Iraq War veteran Victor Everett learned firsthand the complications of divorce.

The combat-decorated former Navy corpsman, a holder of the Navy Commendation Medal for Valor, has post-traumatic stress disorder that initially resulted in permanent disability.

While dealing with combat-related medical issues, Everett and his wife divorced in 2010.

As Everett's health improved, his disability was reduced to 60 percent, which resulted in a reduction of his monthly benefits. Paying child support on top of studying at Northwest Florida State College proved difficult, and convinced him that it is time for a change.

"These laws change the lives of people all over the state," he said. "Divorce is easy. It's the post-divorce that sucks."

Ultimately, the goal is fairness, Formularo, who himself pays alimony, said.

"I'm a retired Marine officer. I didn't commit any crimes. Why am I sentenced for the rest of my life?"

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Alimony reform bills propose relief from lifelong payments

CRESTVIEW — "Never give up." That's the most important thing for writers to remember, Monticello author Dr. Anne H. Holt said.

Holt, who travels the country giving seminars to writers, will provide plenty more advice on Monday during the Crestview Public Library's first writers group meeting.

For instance, she will teach Crestview area writers how to polish a manuscript for publication and how to seek a publisher. She also will provide a list of common concerns when editing.

The group will regularly meet on the fourth Monday of each month, Marie Garcia, the library's assistant director, said.

That's good, said Holt, who has given presentations titled "Marketing Your Book" and "Prepare your Manuscript for Publication." Being in a group setting should bring perseverance, she said. 

"It will help them stick to their writing," she said. "They (can) form critique groups, which is critical to getting published."

Garcia said she hopes past expressed interest in the group translates to attendance.

"We have had a few people inquire about having (a writers group) here in the past," she said.

WANT TO GO?

WHAT: Writers group's first meeting

WHEN: 6 p.m. Monday; regular meetings are the same time, fourth Mondays

WHERE: Crestview Public Library, 1445 Commerce Drive, Crestview 

CONTACT:Marie Garcia, 682-4432

EmailNews Bulletin Staff Writer Matthew Brown, follow him on Twitteror call 850-682-6524

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Monticello author: New writers group should help Crestview writers persevere

The Florida Division of Emergency Management has warned that Northwest Florida faces risks from heavy rain and flooding into next week.

“Two storm systems moving across the Southeast will bring heavy amounts of rainfall and widespread potential for flooding in the Florida Panhandle,” Emergency Management Meteorologist Brad Schaaf said in a news release.

Some areas could see from 4 to 8 inches of rain through Tuesday. Damaging wind gusts could accompany the storms.

The National Weather Service also has issued flash flood watches for Okaloosa, Walton, Santa Rosa, Escambia, Washington, Bay, Holmes and Calhoun counties through Saturday.

Rivers in the region also could flood, the news release warned. The Choctawhatchee River near Bruce in Walton County already was at minor flood stage Thursday.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Stormy weather could bring flooding, emergency officials warn

CRESTVIEW — Old Glory, steadied by Troop 30 Boy Scout Jackson Kiewiet, snapped in the breeze Monday as an estimated 85 residents took 15 minutes at noon to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.

The annual Stand Up and Say the Pledge ceremony — sponsored by the Crestview Exchange Club — allows the community to rededicate itself to ideals embodied in the nation's flag, club president Mayor David Cadle said during his opening remarks.

"We're very afraid that we're losing sight of what these symbols of our country mean to us," he said.

During his invocation, the Rev. Walter Beamon, a retired Air Force chaplain, thanked God "for this beautiful banner, our flag," noting, "It is only a symbol, but let it always be a symbol of freedom and may it always be flown in pride and never in shame."

Crestview High School senior Olivia Dunn, a member of the school chorus, sang "The Star Spangled Banner" and "America the Beautiful," between which club member Sharlene Cox read, "Do You Know What the Pledge of Allegiance Means," a 2010 essay written by then 16-year-old Kyle Griesinger, a Texas Eagle Scout.

"The Pledge of Allegiance has become little more than a nursery rhyme to children. Why is that?" Cox read. "It is because from the time they enter the school system, they are taught to recite it every morning without ever being told the meaning of the words."

Before the crowd of Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, veterans, retirees, families and others who recited the pledge, Young Marine Michael Warren read Ron Tranmer's poem "Stand Proud, Stand Tall."

At the brief ceremony's conclusion, World War II, Korea and Vietnam War veteran and Crestview resident Sgt. Tom Seagle, proudly wearing his dress uniform, led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Attendance more than tripled that of the 2012 ceremony, Cadle said.

Contact News Bulletin Staff Writer Brian Hughes at 850-682-6524 or brianh@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbBrian.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Stand Up and Say the Pledge ceremony attendance triples

SHALIMAR — United Way of Okaloosa and Walton counties announced Thursday its continued support from the community by exceeding its goal of $1.2 million raised in 2012.

The nonprofit organization whose affiliates and funding reaches one in four local residents said that while giving has become more challenging in a slow economy, it continues to receive contributions from businesses and residents to keep it going after 55 years.

“When you filled out a pledge card, maybe you wondered, ‘Will my gift make a difference?” Jack Azzaretto, chairman of United Way’s board of directors, said Thursday in his speech at the 2013 Victory Celebration at Shalimar United Methodist Church. “The answer is yes. Because working together we passed our goal, (receiving) $1,200,051 for Okaloosa and Walton counties.”

The money goes to dozens of other nonprofits and programs to help people to provide education, income stability assistance and healthy lifestyle choices.

“This was a monumental task we achieved,” Bill Robinson, president/CEO of United Way, said in a telephone interview. “It’s down from last year, but there is a lot of uncertainty that people are dealing with and we surpassed our goal.”

One of the main contributors to the United Way’s 2012 campaign, “Live United … Results You Can See” were the eight Publix groceries in the two counties. Their employees and the company donated $323,000, or 25 percent of the total amount collected.

“They were a bright spot in all this,” Robinson said. “Like every other organization, there are less people with less jobs across the board, so the giving from Publix was remarkable.”

Details of the 2013 campaign will be announced in March along with the fundraising goal. A board meeting is scheduled in the coming weeks to decide on the details.

“I urge each of you to continue your support of the United Way in the years to come,” Azzaretto, said in his speech at the celebration. “This is a phenomenal organization, which has the power to light up so many lives.”

Contact Daily News Staff Writer Angel McCurdy at 850-315-4432 or amccurdy@nwfdailynews.com. Follow her on Twitter @AngelMnwfdn.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: United Way exceeds $1.2 million funding goal in difficult economy

TALLAHASSEE — Tobacco products like chew, dip and snuff are not harmless.

But because they're smokeless, youth and adults may underestimate the serious health risks associated with these products.

While cigarette use declines, smokeless tobacco use has remained steady among Florida's youth for more than a decade.

To help raise awareness about smokeless tobacco's dangers, the Florida Department of Health's Bureau of Tobacco Free Florida is observing Through With Chew Week, which ends Saturday.

"Some youth may mistakenly believe that when they start smoking or use any tobacco product, they are able to quit very easily," said State Surgeon General and Secretary of Health Dr. John Armstrong. "This type of addiction is very hard to break, and the health risks are extremely high for any tobacco product."

The Tobacco Free Florida campaign is a statewide cessation and prevention campaign funded by Florida's tobacco settlement fund.

Health risks

•Constant exposure to tobacco juices from smokeless products can cause oral cancers. These can form within five years of regular use, and can cause cancer of the esophagus, pharynx, larynx, stomach and pancreas.

•Smokeless tobacco use can increase the risk of oral cancers by 80 percent and the risk of pancreatic and esophageal cancer by 60 percent, according to a 2008 study from the World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer.

•Using smokeless tobacco also can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. It can lead to other oral problems including mouth sores, gum recession, tooth decay and permanent teeth discoloration.

•Smokeless tobacco use also can result in reduced sperm count and abnormal sperm cells. Women who use smokeless tobacco may be at an increased risk of preeclampsia— a condition that may include high blood pressure, fluid retention and swelling— along with premature birth and low birth weight.

Addiction

Smokeless tobacco products contain nicotine, an addictive and dangerous chemical.

Smokeless tobacco users and cigarette smokers have comparable levels of nicotine in the blood, according to the National Cancer Institute.

Tobacco Free Florida has three ways to help smokeless tobacco users quit.

See www.tobaccofreeflorida.com for more information.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Great American Spit Out part of Tobacco Free Florida campaign

This month, we celebrated African American heritage and my goal was to read some of the Harlem Renaissance Era's literature.  

This era's authors included Zora Neale Hurston, who grew up in Eatonville, one of the first African American towns to become incorporated. Many of Hurston’s stories depicted the vernacular and life of people whom she knew and lived with in Eatonville.  

Langston Hughes, probably the Harlem Renaissance Era's most popular author, is renowned for his poetry. In addition, he was a writer, playwright and novelist.  

Both authors’ works are available in our library. 

I searched the library catalog for other African American authors from the Renaissance Era and came across Nella Larsen, a biography on whom is this week's Staff Pick.

Her book, “The Nella Larsen Collection,” contains five stories that portray characters whose lives mirror her own. Anxious to learn more about this author, I discovered her biography by George Hutchinson, “In Search of Nella Larsen: A Biography of the Color Line.” (Please see sidebar)     

Both books proved worth reading and gave greater understanding of African American life during the Harlem Renaissance. 

In this era of cultural and social change, African Americans experienced economic freedom and liberty to develop their talent and education.  

Numerous artists, musicians, authors, poets and actors were discovered during this time. 

I recommend these good reads for anybody interested in African American literature.

Jean Lewis is the Crestview Public Library's director.

This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Explore Harlem Renaissance Era during Black History Month