“Family Links,” new program at THE PLAYERS Center for Child Health made possible by The Jim & Tabitha Furyk Foundation, addresses health-related social conditions that impact children’s wellness

As part of an ongoing effort to reach beyond the walls of the hospital to address health needs and barriers in the community, Wolfson Children’s Hospital has launched a new program called “Family Links” to help connect families with resources to promote children’s health and well-being.

Family Links is a child- and family-centered support program, made possible by The Jim & Tabitha Furyk Foundation, that addresses health-related social conditions impacting the quality of children’s overall health. In addition to funding the program, the Furyk Foundation will donate 100% of general admission ticket proceeds from the Constellation FURYK & FRIENDS tournament, presented by Circle K, to Family Links when purchased using the code “FAMILYLINKS.” The PGA TOUR Champions event will take place October 3-9, 2022, at Timuquana Country Club.

Family Links takes a three-prong approach to assisting families by:

1. Identifying social needs affecting the family’s health
2. Expanding access to supportive community resources
3. Empowering family decision-making to lead to better health outcomes for children

Families seeking help are assigned a Resource Navigator with THE PLAYERS Center for Child Health at Wolfson Children’s Hospital who guides them through the process and provides them with information, education and connections to local community resources. By linking families with community organizations and the services they need, Family Links is able to address some of the social determinants of good health, which include:

• Food security
• Transportation
• Housing needs
• Employment support
• Childcare
• Legal assistance
• Access to basic household goods and supplies

“We know only a small fraction of children’s overall wellness is attributed to care they receive in a health care setting, which is why it’s important to make a difference where they live, play and learn,” said Michael D. Aubin, FACHE, president of Wolfson Children’s Hospital and chief philanthropy officer of the Baptist Health Foundation. “We’re grateful for the tremendous generosity and continued support of Jim and Tabitha Furyk to make a difference in the lives of children in Northeast Florida and beyond.”

Tabitha Furyk, co-founder of The Jim and Tabitha Furyk Foundation, said, “This is exactly the type of program that Jim and I had in mind when we began the Foundation and when we launched the Constellation FURYK & FRIENDS. Baptist Health and Wolfson Children’s Hospital play such an important role in the greater Jacksonville area. There are so many children and families that need extra assistance in our community and we are proud to help through the Family Links program.”

The resources provided through Family Links complement services already offered through THE PLAYERS Center for Child Health at Wolfson Children’s Hospital, which include assistance with Medicaid enrollment, maternal health support and child safety education.

Megan Denk, executive director of THE PLAYERS Center for Child Health, said, “For a decade, we’ve been seeking new ways to improve the health of children and families in Northeast Florida by meeting them where they are: in their own communities. Family Links dives into the needs of families in our area and provides support and resources to promote long-term health and wellness for all.”

To learn more about Family Links, click here or call 904.202.9355.