Healthy Beginnings launches new screenings
On February 19 th , the Healthy Beginnings’ staff and volunteer experts provided the program’s very first Custom Preschool Screening at Happy Learners and Sunrise Preschools located in Bend.
Healthy Beginnings was able to screen 22 children on early childhood development and vision, sending home additional questionnaires related to behavior for their parents to fill out and return to for review and assessment.Cover Oregon support and information was also provided to those families interested.
We were thrilled to receive same-day phone calls from parents who witnessed this custom screening following through by scheduling appointments for their children to be screened at our next full-service 12 Point Screening in Bend come this April, explained Holly Remer, Healthy Beginnings’ Executive Director.
“Today was a true testament and display of our services and we couldn’t be more pleased with the parents’ responses.” “We were pleasantly surprised to see so many parents at this custom screening—as we had anticipated seeing mostly kids” explained Shelley Irwin, the program’s Family Services Specialist.
Our Custom Preschool Screening includes Child Development, Vision and Hearing with referral information to community resources and follow-up as needed. This exciting new approach to screenings will surely increase finding the children who may otherwise fall through the cracks with possible health concerns. We are interested in working with other preschools in the community if they are interested in bringing a Custom Screening to their facility. Interested Preschools can contact Healthy Beginnings at 541-383-6357 or email the program at healthy.beginnings@hdesd.org
Healthy Beginnings proudly presents its 1 st Annual Early Childhood Resource Fair scheduled for April 19 th , 2014 9:00-1pm and held at St. Charles Medical Center Conference Rooms. We expect to have 30 preschools, vendors and organizations who will display and/or demonstrate information, resources, products and services to educate and inform parents of young children. Healthy Beginnings will also be demonstrating our Custom Preschool Screening to any child accompanied by their parents at this fair.
Healthy Beginnings, a unique program available only in Central Oregon, works to assure parents that their children are developing appropriately or if needed, the program makes referrals for in-depth evaluation and treatment. Parenting information and community resources are provided free as well. Every family attending a Healthy Beginnings screening receives extensive information on the health and development of their child.
Healthy Beginnings, a 21 Cares for Kids partner, is one of many programs offered under the support of the High Desert Education Service District. Additional support is provided by community donations and the United Way of Deschutes County. Please visit our website at www.myhb.org for a full listing of screening dates and cities as well as detailed information about our program, volunteer, and donation opportunities. Community links to additional services can also be found on our website as well.
