Collaborative Effort to Bring Health Care Programs to Young Children
Friday, April 27, 2012
By: Annette Smith

Find out how organizations are partnering together in Wyoming County to provide education and services to families

Pat Brooks, Noxen Dental Clinic, visited children at New Beginnings Child Care Facility. Ms. Brooks is pictured (right) with Austin Werkheiser, Kay Longo (Staff Member), James Baron and Scott Swenson.

H.A.N.D.S of Wyoming County, New Beginnings Group Home and Anne Spencer's Family Living have been working together under the Children's Trust Fund grant, utilizing the Parents as Teachers Curriculum.

This year, the focus will be continued support in providing curriculum learning activities and parental support. In January, February and March, H.A.N.D.S. focused on assisting in social, cognitive and health developmental milestones by utilizing Ages and Stages Evaluations for Parent Teacher Conferences.

Included in the evaluations there is a Health questionnaire. Several health and wellness organizations were also scheduled to provide their services to ensure the health and well being of each child.

The organizations who visited were The Association for the Blind whom referred Denise Culver, Luzerne Intermediate Unit whom referred James A. Zeigler, Au.D., and Pat Brooks, Dental Assistant, from the Noxen Dental Clinic.

The organizations completed the evaluations and made it fun at the same time. H.A.N.D.S provided transportation to have the children from New Beginnings and Anne Spencer's Group Home to join Story Hour at the Family Resource Center. The children were able get their hearing checked while they were able to play and participate in story time. Children were sent home with the results of the testing and referrals were made if necessary.