For young people “aging out” of the foster care system, the transition often hits around the same time as high school graduation. The combination can present a dizzying array of challenges, not least of which is getting and keeping a job. To address the need, Family Support Services created the Bridge 2 Work Academy with the goal of teaching kids essential skills for the workplace. FSS is the largest child welfare agency in Duval and Nassau counties, helping connect foster youth to educational resources, health care, housing and job opportunities.

Guests:

• Oliver Green, youth well-being supervisor with Family Support Services.
• Jamaal Brown, FSS education and employment specialist.
• Nadia Hover, FSS youth well-being program coordinator.
• Alexis Estien, youth advisory council member.

Then, the scary-but-real hazards of Halloween. In our monthly House Call with Dr. Joe, we explore why the annual costume+candy ritual ranks as one of the year’s riskiest holidays. We also discuss what a pregnant woman is to do, between presidential proclamations on Tylenol and the vacillating recommendations by the RFK-appointed vaccine advisory panel about the value of a COVID-19 booster.

Guest:

• Dr. Joe Sirven, Mayo Clinic neurologist and host of What’s Health Got To Do With It?

And, at a time of enormous challenges for Florida’s storied citrus industry, one local group is stepping up to support growers and educate the public. The Mandarin Community Club has partnered with Florida Indian River Groves in a fundraiser that elevates and celebrates orange growing history on the First Coast while giving the grower a business boost. From Sept. 1 to Nov. 14, the community can order fresh-boxed oranges for pickup at the club’s annual Christmas Tree Lighting on Dec. 5.

Guest:

• Brett Nolan, vice president of the Mandarin Community Club.