Caridad Center provides comprehensive medical and dental care for the uninsured working poor of Palm Beach County. It is a community effort of over 400 medical, dental, and support volunteers which save taxpayers $4.8 million annually.

The mission of the Caridad Center is to upgrade the health, education, and living standards of underserved children and families. The Caridad Center’s vision is to eliminate the cycle of poverty for the families that are served in South Florida. Caridad’s mission is accomplished through three distinct programs:

The Goal of the PET - Healthy Family Program is to identify and address chronic diseases prevalent in Hispanic, Haitian, and African American families in Palm Beach County that can respond to prevention and education.

The program continues to assess, identify, educate, and treat obesity as a contributor to other chronic conditions. It employs an inter-generational approach to reach all members of the family from the first to the third generation with health education and counseling. The program is culturally sensitive and staff and volunteers who are fluent in English, Spanish, and Creole provide services. It serves all Palm Beach County residents who are low income and uninsured.

The PET Healthy Family Program is a community-based, family-centered, health care program that aims to improve the lifestyle, diet, and emotional health of the child and his or her family. Staff and volunteers screen children and adults at all outreach activities as well as at Caridad Center’s clinic. Patients found to be at-risk for, or who are diagnosed with, one or more chronic diseases, are referred to the program. Children found to be obese, or grossly overweight, receive family-centered counseling. A treatment plan is formulated for the child and the family’s specific needs. Patients are encouraged to start lifestyle changes that include a healthier diet and exercise. An individual treatment plan is developed and PET staff works closely with the patient and clinician in its implementation.

The Caridad Center continues to increase their efforts in reaching children and families in Palm Beach County and has partnered with the School District of Palm Beach County in a 3-year Carol M. White Physical Education Program (PEP) Grant. This program seeks to improve healthy behaviors and decrease obesity factors in middle school students by improving PE programs, focusing community outreach, and offering family-focused obesity interventions. The program goals are accomplished through the implementation of: the SPARK Physical Education curriculum, Family Funs Nights at select middle schools, Caridad Center’s Healthy Family Program for students and families found at-risk for chronic diseases. By the end of year three of the grant, all 33 middle schools in Palm Beach County will have participated in program activities.

The School District of Palm Beach County participated in Caridad Center’s Annual Family Festival health fair through the School Food Service (SFS) Department and Adult & Community Education. SFS offers students the opportunity to select nutritious meals every day for breakfast and lunch. Adult & Community Education offers GED classes and testing, ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages), Family Literacy, and Classes for Fun & Leisure. The Family Festival was held on Saturday, November 8, 2014. A total of 515 participants attended the event and 694 health screenings were completed.