Welcome!

Congratulations on your growing family! Whether you're expecting your first baby or welcoming another little one, this guide was created to help families in Perry, Florida, and the surrounding Taylor County find trusted local resources. From prenatal care to breastfeeding support, pediatricians, parks, libraries, and community services, you'll find many of the resources new parents are looking for in one place.

Little Lactation Lady® proudly provides in-home and virtual lactation consultations throughout Perry, Florida, and TaylorCounty. Services include prenatal education, newborn feeding support, pumping consultations, flange fitting, bottle feeding guidance, low milk supply support, tongue-tie assessments, and more. 

Florida Department of Health in Taylor County

The Florida Department of Health in Taylor County provides public-health services for children, adults, and families. Available programs may include immunizations, family-planning services, health screenings, communicable-disease services, and referrals to other community programs.

Address:
1215 North Peacock Avenue
Perry, Florida 32347

Phone: 850-584-5087

Contact the health department directly to confirm current services, eligibility requirements, and appointment availability.

Taylor County WIC

The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children—commonly called WIC—supports eligible pregnant and postpartum parents, infants and children younger than five.

Depending on eligibility and individual needs, WIC may provide:

• Nutrition education

• Breastfeeding education and support

• Supplemental foods

• Breast-pump support when appropriate

• Infant-feeding guidance

• Referrals to healthcare and community services

Taylor County WIC services are connected with the Florida Department of Health location on North Peacock Avenue. Families should call before visiting to confirm application procedures, appointment availability and required documentation.

Doctors’ Memorial Hospital

Doctors’ Memorial Hospital serves Perry and the surrounding rural communities. Families may contact the hospital for information about emergency care, outpatient services, diagnostic care and available family-health services.

A pediatric service opened in Perry in 2025 to provide care for children from birth through adolescence, including routine illnesses, well-child visits and sports physicals. Parents should verify the current providers, location and appointment availability directly with the hospital.

For a life-threatening emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department.

Childcare and Early-Learning Resources

Early Learning Coalition of the Big Bend Region

The Early Learning Coalition of the Big Bend serves Taylor County and can help families understand childcare options and early-education programs.

Services may include:

• Child Care Resource and Referral

• Help locating childcare providers

• School Readiness childcare assistance

• Voluntary Prekindergarten information

• Family education and early-learning resources

• Information about childcare quality and provider selection

Taylor County is served by the Early Learning Coalition of the Big Bend Region. Its Child Care Resource and Referral service helps families search for care and understand available assistance programs.

Child Care Resource and Referral: 866-973-9030
Main office: 850-385-0504

Florida School Readiness Program

Florida’s School Readiness Program may provide financial assistance for early education and childcare to qualifying families. Eligibility is based on factors established by the state and local early-learning coalition.

Families with children younger than 13 can use Florida’s online prequalification system to begin checking eligibility.

Voluntary Prekindergarten

Florida’s Voluntary Prekindergarten program, commonly called VPK, is a free educational program intended to help four-year-old children prepare for kindergarten. Some children who meet specific criteria may qualify at another age.

The Early Learning Coalition can help Taylor County families locate approved programs and understand enrollment requirements.

Taylor County School District

Taylor County School District provides public education and early-childhood information for local families. Parents can use the district website to find school registration information, calendars, school contacts and early-education updates.

Taylor County Public Library

Taylor County Public Library is part of the Three Rivers Regional Library System, which serves Taylor, Dixie, Gilchrist and Lafayette counties.

Libraries can be wonderful resources for families with young children. Available offerings may include:

• Children’s books

• Early-literacy activities

• Story times

• Summer reading programs

• Computers and internet access

• Educational programs

• Community events

• Printing and research assistance

Because activity schedules change, check the library’s current calendar or contact the branch before attending a children’s program.

City of Perry Parks

The City of Perry maintains community parks and public outdoor spaces. Families can visit the city’s parks page for current information about park locations, facilities and recreational spaces.

Potential family activities include:

• Playground time

• Picnics

• Outdoor walks

• Community events

• Open play

• Seasonal celebrations

Rosehead Park

Rosehead Park is located in downtown Perry and may be a convenient place for families to enjoy outdoor time while visiting the downtown area.

Check the City of Perry calendar for festivals, public gatherings and community activities that may be held downtown.

Forest Capital Museum State Park

Forest Capital Museum State Park celebrates Florida’s forestry history and includes the historic Cracker Homestead. The park can provide families with an educational, low-cost outdoor outing.

The park is located at:

204 Forest Park Drive
Perry, Florida 32348

The Florida State Parks website currently lists daytime operating hours, a small museum admission charge and no general park-entry fee. Hours and fees may change, so check the official park page before visiting.

Possible family activities include:

• Walking outdoors

• Learning about Florida history

• Exploring the homestead area

• Attending special events

• Taking family photographs

• Enjoying a picnic

Second Harvest of the Big Bend

Taylor County is within the service region of Second Harvest of the Big Bend. The organization works through community partners to provide food assistance throughout the region.

Families seeking assistance can use the food bank’s current distribution or partner-location information to find nearby resources.

Because food-distribution schedules can change, verify the date, time, eligibility requirements and pickup procedure before traveling.

Florida SNAP and Temporary Assistance

Florida’s Department of Children and Families administers programs that may help eligible families with food, temporary financial assistance and Medicaid-related applications.

Families can use the state’s benefits portal to:

• Apply for assistance

• Upload requested documents

• Review benefit information

• Report household changes

• Check application status

Healthy Start

Healthy Start is a voluntary Florida program that connects pregnant people and families of infants with education, care coordination and community resources.

Services vary according to individual needs and local availability but may include:

• Pregnancy education

• Infant-care education

• Breastfeeding support and referrals

• Childbirth education

• Parenting support

• Safe-sleep education

• Tobacco-cessation resources

• Mental-health referrals

• Help connecting with healthcare and social services

Ask your prenatal provider, pediatric provider or Taylor County Health Department how to complete a Healthy Start screening or receive a referral.

Florida KidCare

Florida KidCare provides health-insurance options for eligible children. Coverage may include routine care, doctor visits, hospital care, prescriptions, dental care and other services, depending on the child’s program.

Eligibility and premiums depend on household circumstances.

Early Steps

Florida’s Early Steps program serves eligible infants and toddlers from birth to 36 months who have developmental delays or qualifying established conditions.

Parents may request an evaluation if they are concerned about areas such as:

• Movement

• Communication

• Feeding

• Hearing

• Vision

• Learning

• Social interaction

• General development

A parent does not have to wait for a doctor to make the first contact.

Postpartum Mental-Health Support

Pregnancy and the postpartum period can bring anxiety, depression, intrusive thoughts, birth trauma, grief or other emotional challenges. Parents deserve compassionate support without shame.

Postpartum Support International

Postpartum Support International provides education, support groups and connections to trained perinatal mental-health resources.

PSI HelpLine: Call or text 1-800-944-4773

The HelpLine is not an emergency service. In an immediate crisis, call 911 or use the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

Emergency Services

For immediate police, fire or medical assistance, call 911.

Taylor County Emergency Management coordinates preparedness and emergency-response information for the county. The county emergency operations center is located in Perry.

Families should follow official county alerts during:

• Hurricanes

• Flooding

• Tornadoes

• Extreme heat

• Wildfires

• Evacuations

• Extended utility outages

Taylor County Government

Taylor County’s official website provides information about county departments, public services, notices and local resources. The county’s listed administrative complex is located at 201 East Green Street in Perry.

City of Perry

The City of Perry website provides information about city parks, public services, events, meetings and community announcements.

Are We Missing a Resource? 

This page is intended to grow with the Perry and Taylor County community.

Local pediatric providers, pregnancy professionals, counselors, childcare programs, playgroups, churches, nonprofits and family-friendly organizations may contact Little Lactation Lady to suggest an appropriate community resource.

Inclusion on this page is for informational purposes and does not necessarily represent a clinical endorsement. Families should independently evaluate providers, programs and services according to their individual needs.