Follow Week 3 scores from across Jacksonville and Northeast Florida as the area's high school football teams take to the gridiron and find their midseason rhythm for the 2022 FHSAA season.

The Times-Union will be tracking scores from more than 20 Week 3 games across the Northeast Florida area, plus the third week of the high school regular season for schools in Southeast Georgia. That includes the inaugural Border Classic in Brunswick, which includes seven games matching Florida and Georgia teams.

And while you're checking back for the latest scores, don't forget to read the Times-Union's continuing end zone-to-end zone coverage with previews of the action on the field for the remainder of this fall, including stats, power rankings and more.

Everything you need to know:Schedules, Super 11, district previews and much more

First Coast Varsity Weekly:Englewood, Tocoi Creek among football's surprise squads

Border Classic preview:Florida, Georgia teams face off in high school football in Brunswick

Follow the Times-Union for more updates and full box scores through the evening.

Friday's results

Baldwin 28, Fernandina Beach 0

Bartram Trail 17, Daytona Beach Mainland 3

Bartram Trail;7;7;3;0;--;17

Mainland;0;0;0;3;--;3

Scoring summary

BT - Trujillo 30 run (Padron kick)

BT - Biddle 1 run (Padron kick)

BT - Padron 28 FG

M - Gettman 30 FG

Beachside vs. Christ's Church, ccd., weather

Bishop Kenny 25, Tocoi Creek 13

Bishop Kenny;6;9;10;0;--;25

Tocoi Creek;0;0;0;13;--;13

Bradford 21, Middleburg 0 (game called at halftime, thunderstorm)

Brunswick 20, Bolles 3

Bolles;3;0;0;0;--;3

Brunswick;0;0;7;13;--;20

Scoring summary

BO - Berry 39 FG

BR - Griffin 1 run (Fineran kick)

BR - Heck 7 run (Fineran kick)

BR - Drayton 1 run (kick failed)

Columbia 21, DeLand 16

DeLand;8;8;0;0;--;16

Columbia;13;0;8;0;--;21

Eagle's View at Cedar Creek Christian, ppd. to Oct. 7

First Coast 36, Ocala Forest 22

Fleming Island 19, Nease 14

Fleming Island;0;7;6;6;--;19

Nease;0;0;7;7;--;14

Fort White 28, Keystone Heights 0

Hawthorne 36, Parker 18

Hawthorne;7;21;8;0;--;36

Parker;0;6;0;12;--;18

Hilliard 40, Paxon 20

Jackson 13, Fletcher 10 (OT)

Jackson;7;0;0;0;6;--;13

Fletcher;0;0;0;7;3;--;10

Scoring summary

J - Holland 54 pass from K. Johnson (Hart kick)

F - Tate 5 run (Keller kick)

F - Keller 24 FG

J - J. Jackson 10 run (no attempt)

Team statistics

;Jack;Flet

First downs;16;9

Rushes-yards;25-88;19-44

Passing;190;134

Comp-Att-Int;19-33-0;13-25-0

Fumbles-Lost;0-0;2-1

Individual leaders

RUSHING -- Jackson, J. Jackson 11-40, M. Wilson 4-20. Fletcher, Tate 12-26.

PASSING -- Jackson, K. Johnson 19-33-0-190. Fletcher, Tate 13-25-0-134.

RECEIVING -- Jackson, Holland 7-96, Brooks 4-46. Fletcher, Vaglienti 6-72, Brady 3-31.

Mandarin 28, Riverside 6

Riverside;0;0;6;0;--;6

Mandarin;0;28;0;0;--;28

Menendez 40, Pine Ridge 0

Pine Ridge;0;0;0;0;--;0

Menendez;7;14;12;7;--;40

Oakleaf 35, TDH Academy 14

TDH Academy;0;0;8;6;--;14

Oakleaf;21;7;7;0;--;35

Orange Park at Clay, ppd. to 9:30 a.m. Saturday, rain

Palatka 33, Alachua Santa Fe 19

Santa Fe;13;0;0;6;--;19

Palatka;7;0;13;13;--;33

Scoring summary

SF - McCormick 1 run (Lawrence kick)

SF - McCormick 70 run (kick failed)

P - Bush 50 pass from S. Williams (Alvarez kick)

P - Dumas 91 punt return (kick failed)

P - S. Williams 16 run (Alvarez kick)

P - Leonard 9 run (kick failed)

SF - Johnson 95 kickoff return (kick failed)

P - Valentine 40 pass from McKinnon (Alvarez kick)

Providence 18, Wolfson 14

Providence;0;6;6;6;--;18

Wolfson;0;7;7;0;--;14

Scoring summary

W - Bell 58 run (Koster kick)

P - Mankus 1 run (kick failed)

W - Bell 57 run (Koster kick)

P - Hood 67 pass from Chauvette (run failed)

P - Tauler 35 run (run failed)

Raines 14, Sandalwood 8

Ribault 38, Stanton 7

Stanton;7;0;0;0;--;7

Ribault;6;18;7;7;--;38

University Christian 33, Charlton County 0

Westside 22, Atlantic Coast 6

White 36, Englewood 13

Yulee 35, Zarephath Academy 0

Yulee;14;13;8;0;--;35

Zarephath;0;0;0;0;--;0

Written by Kristen Kusek, Communications Director for USF CMS

The Thwaites Glacier in West Antarctica – about the size of Florida – has been an elephant in the room for scientists trying to make global sea level rise predictions. This massive ice stream is already in a phase of fast retreat (a “collapse” when viewed on geological timescales) leading to widespread concern about exactly how much, or how fast, it may give up its ice to the ocean. The potential impact of Thwaites’ retreat is spine-chilling: a total loss of the glacier and surrounding icy basins could raise sea level from three to ten feet.

A new study in Nature Geoscience led by marine geophysicist Alastair Graham at the University of South Florida’s College of Marine Science (USF CMS), adds cause for concern.

For the first time, scientists mapped in high-resolution a critical area of the seafloor in front of the glacier that gives them a window into how fast Thwaites retreated and moved in the past. The stunning imagery shows geologic features that are new to science, and also provides a kind of crystal ball to see into Thwaites’ future. In people and ice sheets alike, past behavior is key to understanding future behavior.

The team documented more than 160 parallel ridges that were created, like a footprint, as the glacier’s leading edge retreated and bobbed up and down with the daily tides. “It’s as if you are looking at a tide gauge on the seafloor,” said Graham. “It really blows my mind how beautiful the data are.”

Beauty aside, what’s alarming is that the rate of Thwaites’ retreat that scientists have documented more recently are small compared to the fastest rates of change in its past, said Graham.

To understand Thwaites’ past retreat, the team analyzed the rib-like formations submerged 700 meters (just under half a mile) beneath the polar ocean and factored in the tidal cycle for the region, as predicted by computer models, to show that one rib must have been formed every single day.

At some point in the last 200 years, over a duration of less than six months, the front of glacier lost contact with a seabed ridge and retreated at a rate of more than 2.1 kilometers per year (1.3 miles per year) -- twice the rate documented using satellites between 2011 and 2019.

“Our results suggest that pulses of very rapid retreat have occurred at Thwaites Glacier in the last two centuries, and possibly as recently as the mid-20th Century,” said Graham.

“Thwaites is really holding on today by its fingernails, and we should expect to see big changes over small timescales in the future – even from one year to the next – once the glacier retreats beyond a shallow ridge in its bed,” said marine geophysicist and study co-author, Robert Larter, from the British Antarctic Survey.

To collect the imagery and supporting geophysical data, the team, which included scientists from the United States, the United Kingdom, and Sweden, launched a state-of-the-art orange robotic vehicle loaded with imaging sensors called ‘Rán’ from the R/V Nathaniel B. Palmer during an expedition in 2019. Rán, operated by scientists at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden, embarked on a 20-hour mission that was as risky as it was serendipitous, Graham said. It mapped an area of the seabed in front of the glacier about the size of Houston – and did so in extreme conditions during an unusual summer notable for its lack of sea ice. This allowed scientists to access the glacier front for the first time in history.

Anna Wåhlin, a physical oceanographer from the University of Gothenburg who deployed Rán at Thwaites, said, “This was a pioneering study of the ocean floor, made possible by recent technological advancements in autonomous ocean mapping and a bold decision by the Wallenberg foundation to invest into this research infrastructure. The images Ran collected give us vital insights into the processes happening at the critical junction between the glacier and the ocean today.”

“It was truly a once in a lifetime mission,” said Graham, who said the team would like to sample the seabed sediments directly so they can more accurately date the ridge-like features. “But the ice closed in on us pretty quickly and we had to leave before we could do that on this expedition,” he said.

While many questions remain, one thing’s for sure: It used to be that scientists thought of the Antarctic ice sheets as sluggish and slow to respond, but that’s simply not true, said Graham.

“Just a small kick to Thwaites could lead to a big response,” he said.

According to the United Nations, roughly 40 percent of the human population lives within 60 miles of the coast. “This study is part of a cross-disciplinary collective effort to understand the Thwaites Glacier system better,” said Tom Frazer, dean of the USF CMS, “and just because it’s out of sight, we can’t have Thwaites out of mind. This study is an important step forward in providing essential information to inform global planning efforts.”

The study was supported by the National Science Foundation and the UK Natural Environment Research Council through the International Thwaites Glacier Collaboration (ITGC). The 2019 expedition was the first in a 5-year project dubbed THOR, which stands for Thwaites Offshore Research, and also included team members from a sister project called the Thwaites-Amundsen Regional Survey and Network Integrating Atmosphere-Ice-Ocean Processes, or TARSAN.

For more information, read this companion story authored by Graham and the team.

View more imagery from this historic expedition below.

Our blue planet faces a suite of challenges and opportunities for understanding and innovation. Our mission is to advance understanding of the interconnectivity of ocean systems and human-ocean interactions using a cross-disciplinary approach, to empower the next workforce of the blue economy with a world-class education experience, and to share our passion for a healthy environment and science-informed decision-making with community audiences near and far.

COCOA, FLORIDA – Severe lightning and heavy rain forced the cancellation of dozens of preseason Kickoff Classic football games involving Central Florida schools on Friday night but the Cocoa Tigers were able to put on a show in front of the hometown fans.

Four-time state champ Cocoa overwhelmed Merritt Island, 36-0, in just one half of play in one of the most dominating performances of the night.

Last year, Merritt Island went 13-3 and finished as Class 5A state runner-up, while Cocoa went 11-2 and made it to the Class 4A state championship game.

“We played well,” said Cocoa athletic director Mark Carstens on behalf of head coach Ryan Schneider.

"Our defense was relentless and intimidating. We moved the ball at will but turned it over too many times – all things you can easily correct."

The area’s top two games of the week – Sanford Seminole at Edgewater, and Kissimmee Osceola at Apopka – both were called off because of lightning. Apopka finished as Class 8A state runner-up last year, and Seminole beat Osceola for the state championship in 2020.

The inclement weather disappointed Seminole coach Erik Lodge, who was hoping to see what his squad could do against an Edgewater team that last year went 10-2 and advanced to the Class 7A regional semifinals.

“Wished we could have been able to gauge ourselves against a good opponent,” said Lodge, who last season led the Seminoles to an 11-2 record and the Class 8A regional finals, where they lost to Apopka. “But it does not affect our plan for next week at all.”

In Indian River County, Vero Beach overpower Boca Raton, 34-3. In Lake County, the South Lake-Tavares game was canceled. Tavares went 9-2 last season.

In Volusia County, Daytona Beach Mainland hammered Palm Coast Matanzas 35-7.

Kickoff Classic games are a final tune-up of sorts before Florida schools kick off the regular season with games on Aug. 25 and 26. But Friday’s weather stopped most from happening.

Only a handful of schools agreed to postpone and play again on Saturday, Aug. 20. Among those were: Trinity Prep, which will host Lecanto Seven Rivers Christian at 11 a.m.; Port Orange Atlantic, which will play at St. Augustine at noon; and Maitland Orangewood Christian, which will host Clearwater American Collegiate at noon.

In a game originally scheduled for Saturday at 7 p.m., Orlando Jones will host Miami Northwestern in a game pitting a pair of 2021 Class 6A state semifinalists. Jones went 12-3 last year; Northwestern was 10-4.

In games on Thursday, Aug. 18, Bayside out of Palm Bay beat Daytona Beach Seabreeze, 28-14; and Halifax Academy of Daytona Beach fell to Cape Coral Oasis, 31-20.

Central Florida Kickoff Classic results

(Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Lake, Volusia, Brevard, Indian River counties)

Thursday, Aug. 18

Bayside 28, Daytona Beach Seabreeze 14

Oasis (Cape Coral) 31, Halifax Academy (Daytona Beach) 20

Friday, Aug. 19

Clearwater American Collegiate at Orangewood Christian School, postponed

Astronaut at East River, canceled

Port Orange Atlantic at Space Coast, canceled

Mount Dora Christian 8, Jacksonville Bishop Snyder 0, game called in first half

Vero Beach 34, Boca Raton 3

Boone at DeLand, canceled

Clearwater Academy at Lake Mary, canceled

Colonial at Lyman, canceled

Tarpon Springs 42, Cornerstone Charter Academy 6

Crescent City at Father Lopez Catholic, did not report

Cypress Creek at Lake Howell, canceled

Davenport at Celebration, canceled

Deltona at Oviedo, canceled

Eustis at Vanguard (Ocala), canceled

IMG Blue defeated Faith Christian Academy, no score available

Foundation Academy at The Master’s Academy, canceled

Gateway (Kissimmee) at Horizon (Winter Garden), canceled

Harmony at Freedom (Orlando), canceled

Hudson at Umatilla, canceled

Jacksonville Hollis Christian at West Oaks, did not report

Jensen Beach 20, Heritage (Palm Bay) 13

Lake Buena Vista at Kissimmee Liberty, canceled

Lake Minneola at Dr. Phillips, canceled

Lake Nona at Hagerty, canceled

Lakeland Christian at The First Academy (Orlando), canceled

Daytona Beach Mainland 35, Matanzas (Palm Coast) 7

Melbourne at Lake Brantley, canceled

Cocoa 36, Merritt Island 0, game called at halftime

Merritt Island Christian 31, St. John Lutheran 6

Mulberry 32, Cocoa Beach 6

St. Petersburg Northside Christian at Central Florida Christian (Ocoee), canceled

Ocoee 49, Coral Springs 0

Orlando Christian Prep 21, Wellington 16

Jacksonville Old Plank Christian 27, Calvary Chapel 19

Osceola (Kissimmee) at Apopka, canceled

Palatka at Mount Dora, canceled

Lake Worth Park Vista at Olympia, canceled

Pine Ridge at Winter Springs, canceled

Poinciana 28, Avon Park 16

Tallahassee Rickards at Bishop Moore, canceled

Palm Bay 21, Satellite 7

Tallahassee Chiles 33, Sebastian River 6

Seminole (Sanford) at Edgewater, canceled

Pembroke Pines Somerset Academy at Legacy Charter, did not report

St. Augustine at Spruce Creek, postponed

St. Cloud at Windermere, canceled

Vero Beach St. Edward’s 28, Melbourne Central Catholic 7

South Lake at Tavares, canceled

South Sumter 26, Leesburg 6

Lakeland Tenoroc at Clermont East Ridge, canceled

Titusville at New Smyrna Beach, canceled

Tohopekaliga at Oak Ridge, canceled

Port St. Lucie Treasure Coast 16, Rockledge 14

Trinity Prep at Lecanto Seven Rivers Christian, postponed

University (Orange City) at Timber Creek, canceled

University (Orlando) at Evans, canceled

Eau Gallie 32, Viera 0

Wekiva 40, Pinellas Park 7

Winter Park at West Orange, canceled

Saturday, Aug. 20

Lecanto Seven Rivers Christian at Trinity Prep, 11am

Clearwater American Collegiate at Orangewood Christian School, noon

Port Orange Spruce Creek at St. Augustine, noon

Miami Northwestern at Jones, 7pm

While the three-day Border Classic in Brunswick naturally grabs much of the spotlight this week, there's still plenty of high school football remaining in the 904 area code on Friday night.

Gateway Conference matchups take center stage. Six contests match Duval County public schools, all at the school district's standard 6:30 p.m. kickoff time: Englewood at White, Jackson at Fletcher, Raines at Sandalwood, Riverside at Mandarin, Stanton at Ribault and Westside at Atlantic Coast. There are also a pair of district contests on deck, with Baldwin heading to Fernandina Beach and Trinity Christian meeting NFEI.

The battles of note are many: Bartram Trail's second visit to Daytona Beach in as many weeks, this time to take on Mainland; Parker's clash at Joe Hodge Stadium against Hawthorne, last year's state runner-up at Class 1A; and Bradford's bid to extend its perfect start against the ground assault of Middleburg.

Here's a look at more key storylines and matchups to watch on Friday night.

First Coast Varsity Newsletter:Sign up here

Week 2 in review:Riverside, Jackson, Ribault among last week's victors

Check the leaderboard:Northeast Florida high school football statistics leaders through Week 2

FLETCHER RETURN FOR JACKSON'S FOY

Not so long ago, Christopher Foy was helping guide Fletcher's football fortunes as an assistant coach. Now, the third-year Jackson head coach is returning to Jacksonville Beach in a visitor's role when the Tigers enter Jack Taylor Stadium.

Foy's Tigers, who shut down Westside's offense last week in a 21-6 win, field one of the city's most athletic defensive units, with South Carolina commit and Super 11 linebacker Grayson Howard as the headline attraction but hardly the only standout on a unit that also includes Brian Hooks in the secondary and Jeremiah Lovely on the defensive line.

The Senators won't make it easy: Fletcher quarterback Marcelis Tate is coming off a 330-yard night against Tallahassee Chiles, with 146 of those yards going to receiver Anthony Vaglienti, to edge Tallahassee Chiles 30-28. Jackson won last year's meeting 16-9, with help from a Howard interception and a touchdown catch by Terrance Holland.

VIKINGS, SAINTS SQUARE OFF

They're two of Jacksonville's most consistent public school programs: Since 2003, Raines and Sandalwood have combined for 32 seasons at or above .500. But both teams, coming off defeats last week, need a win Friday to stay on the right side of that boundary.

Raines contained Trinity Christian for more than a half in a flag-marred game that ended with 50 flags and 503 combined penalty yards, as calculated by Trinity's statistical staff. Despite the defeat, QB Roman Doles rushed for almost 200 yards on the night for the Vikings.

Sandalwood's passing game has yet to get rolling (32 percent completion), but running back Jordan Bean is in the hunt for another 1,000-yard season with 190 through his first two games. The Vikings have won this matchup in five of the last six years, including a 20-14 meeting last fall.

RIVERSIDE DEFENSE MEETS MANDARIN AIR GAME

In 2022, Riverside is taking the old slogan "defense wins championships" to a different level.

The Generals are off to a 2-0 start under new head coach Antwan Nicholas, and it's almost entirely the result of efforts on the defensive side. Riverside has gained only 257 combined yards through two games, but topped Westside 12-6 and Parker 7-6 in grinding, zero-yards-and-a-cloud-of-dust struggles. Last week, red-zone stands helped Riverside edge Parker, even though the Braves outgained them 351-130 and won the turnover battle.

Mandarin, fueled by the ace aerial pair of sophomores Tramell Jones (26 of 36, 419 yards, 6 TD/0 INT) and Jaime Ffrench (12 catches, 204 yards, 3 TD) could stretch Riverside's defense to the limit. The Mustangs' last win in the infrequently-contested series was on Oct. 30, 1998, a 31-27 result.

CAN RAMS KEEP UP FAST START?

Englewood at 3-0? That's something that hasn't happened during any of the current Rams' lifetimes, but they can make it a reality with victory against White.

Not since 1991 has Englewood opened a season at 3-0, when they opened the year by topping Parker, Eau Gallie and Bishop Kenny and halted a 22-game losing skid in the process. The Rams haven't even started 2-0 since 2015.

Jalen Scarver and J'Sean Scarver have led a Rams defense that has held its first two opponents to 13 combined points, but White presents a stiffer test. Tavales Thomas, Benny Lewis and Wake Forest-committed Davaughn Patterson combine in what might be the Gateway Conference's deepest backfield.

CRUSADERS TANGLE WITH TOROS

Circle this one as, just maybe, the biggest game so far in Tocoi Creek's brief history.

Both Bishop Kenny and Tocoi Creek enter the game at 2-0, and a victory for the Toros would go a long way toward establishing them as a postseason contender in their first year of district action. They're averaging more than 430 yards on offense after defeating Beachside and Matanzas, and senior Kaiz Ragland already has 375 yards from scrimmage this season.

The challenge is a substantial one for Tocoi Creek, because Bishop Kenny junior quarterback James Resar is coming off a six-touchdown game in last week's 45-25 win over Middleburg. BK, which won its first four games last fall, is looking for back-to-back 3-0 starts for the first time since 2013 and 2014.

SUPER 11 CLASH: FLEMING ISLAND-NEASE

It's the state's top quarterback prospect in the 2025 class in Nease's Marcus Stokes against one of its leading running backs in Fleming Island's Samuel Singleton, and whatever the records, that's always a big one.

Stokes' early season has had some up-and-down moments, but he helped Nease put up a big point total (41) against Creekside last time out. Unfortunately for the Panthers, Creekside unleashed a steamroller ground game to score 62 points themselves. That's a prospect that's appealing for the Golden Eagles, who field not only Singleton but also Musthafa Marshall, Tay'Shaun Smith and dual-threat QB Cibastian Broughton on the ground. All average nine or more yards per carry.

Nease got the upper hand last year as Stokes passed for 162 yards and rushed for 44, scoring three touchdowns in all in a 35-14 Panther win.

WEEK 3 SCHEDULE

Thursday's games

McIntosh County Academy (1-1) vs. West Nassau (1-1) (at Glynn County Stadium), 4:30 p.m.

Creekside (2-0) at Glynn Academy (2-1), 7:30 p.m.

Friday's games

FLORIDA

Alachua Santa Fe (0-2) at Palatka (2-0), 7 p.m.

Baldwin (1-1) at Fernandina Beach (1-1), District 5-2S game

Bartram Trail (2-0) at Daytona Beach Mainland (1-0)

Beachside (1-1) at Christ's Church (0-2)

Bishop Kenny (2-0) at Tocoi Creek (2-0)

Bishop Snyder (1-1) at Trenton Riverside Christian (0-1-1)

Bolles (2-0) at Brunswick (2-0), 7:30 p.m.

Chiefland (2-0) at Suwannee (1-1), 7:30 p.m.

DeLand (1-1) at Columbia (0-2), 7:30 p.m.

Eagle's View (0-2) at Cedar Creek Christian (2-0)

Englewood (2-0) at White (1-1), 6:30 p.m.

First Coast (0-1) at Ocala Forest (0-1)

Fleming Island (2-0) at Nease (0-2)

Halifax Academy (1-1) at St. Joseph (0-2)

Hawthorne (1-0) at Parker (1-1), 6:30 p.m.

Hilliard (1-1) at Paxon (0-2), 6:30 p.m.

Jackson (2-1) at Fletcher (1-1), 6:30 p.m.

Keystone Heights (0-1) at Fort White (0-2), 7:30 p.m.

Middleburg (0-2) at Bradford (1-0)

Orange Park (0-2) at Clay (1-1)

Pine Ridge (0-2) at Menendez (1-1)

Providence (0-2) at Wolfson (1-1), 6:30 p.m.

Raines (1-1) at Sandalwood (1-1), 6:30 p.m.

Ridgeview (0-2) at Lake Weir (0-2), 7:30 p.m.

Riverside (2-0) at Mandarin (1-1), 6:30 p.m.

Stanton (0-2) at Ribault (1-1), 6:30 p.m.

TDH Academy (0-2) at Oakleaf (1-1)

Trinity Christian (2-0) at North Florida Educational (2-0), District 1-1M

University Christian (2-0) vs. Charlton County (3-0) (at Glynn County Stadium), 4:30 p.m.

Westside (0-2) at Atlantic Coast (0-2), 6:30 p.m.

Zarephath Academy (1-1) at Yulee (1-1), 7:30 p.m.

GEORGIA

Benedictine (2-1) at Ware County (2-0), 7:30 p.m.

Dade Christian (0-0) at Camden County (1-2), 7:30 p.m.

Saturday's games

St. Augustine (1-1) vs. Coffee (1-1) (at Glynn County Stadium), 4 p.m.

Baker County (1-0) vs. Richmond Hill (2-1) (at Glynn County Stadium), 7:30 p.m.

BYE: Episcopal (2-0), Harvest Community (2-0), Impact Christian (1-1), Ponte Vedra (0-2), Union County (1-1), Young Kids in Motion (1-1)

Clayton Freeman covers high school sports and more for the Florida Times-Union. Follow him on Twitter at @CFreemanJAX.

The Medicaid managed care health plan distributed school supplies to more than 2,000 families over the course of five community events held throughout July and early August

August 30, 2022 — Education plays an integral role in health outcomes, impacting everything from access to health care, social and psychological skills, and healthy behaviors.^[i] For AmeriHealth Caritas Florida, supporting good health means helping give children the best head start as they head back to school. The Medicaid managed care plan, which serves seven counties across the state, recently delivered school supplies to more than 2,000 families during five special back-to-school events:

The supplies included pencil cases filled with essentials such as pencils, pens, Post-it Notes, and rulers.

In addition, AmeriHealth Caritas Florida also donated 300 more pencil cases to Bethel Evangelical Church in Miami-Dade County and another 200 to Children’s Outreach Inc. in Palm Beach County.

“Education impacts every part of a person’s life, including their health and the opportunities available to them,” said Florida Market President Kathy Warner. ”By providing children with the tools to succeed, including the basic supplies required in the classroom, we can help them feel more prepared to fully engage and learn.”

While school supplies play a role in students’ success, the costs can be prohibitive for low-income families. The National Retail Federation reports that families with children in elementary through high school plan to spend an average of $864 on school items this year. ^[ii]

^[i] Why Education Matters to Health: Exploring the Causes, Virginia Commonwealth University, 2015, societyhealth.vcu.edu/work/the-projects/why-education-matters-to-health-exploring-the-causes.html.

^[ii] Families Prioritize Back-to-School and College Spending Amidst Rising Inflation, National Retail Federation, nrf.com/media-center/press-releases/families-prioritize-back-school-and-college-spending-amidst-rising.

About AmeriHealth Caritas Florida AmeriHealth Caritas Florida operates as a Medicaid managed care plan through Florida’s Statewide Medicaid Managed Care program, serving enrollees living in Miami-Dade, Monroe, Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River and Okeechobee counties. AmeriHealth Caritas Florida’s strength lies in its ability to foster collaboration among network providers to facilitate optimal health outcomes for members. For more information, visit www.amerihealthcaritasfl.com.