Healthy Beginnings child health clinic Oct. 16 in Sisters

What parent doesn’t have questions? Is your child’s development on track? Will their smile last a lifetime and can they hear and see okay? Healthy Beginnings can help you answer these questions and more. We all know that health and development from birth through age five is critical to a child’s success.

That is why onFriday,October 16 th Healthy Beginnings will bring its 12-Point Kid Inspection to Sisters. At these screening clinics, each child receives nearly $3,000 worth of assessment services at no cost to the family.There areno eligibility requirementsand all families are welcome to attend.

Healthy Beginnings screens young children in hearing, speech and language, motor skills, cognitive development, vision, health and safety, dental, behavior and nutrition, information regarding kindergarten readiness, reading skills, and car seat safety is also provided. Access to professionals and trained volunteers in all these essential core areas is available at the time of the screening.

Parents and children birth through five meet one-on-one with as many as 12 health and development professionals and families are encouraged to attend whether or not they have health insurance. Referrals are made as indicated with community resources provided to all families. Healthy Beginnings can even provide information and assistance with Oregon’s health insurance application process too.

According to the Center for Disease Control, nearly eight in every 10 children miss a developmental screening. To receive adequate preventative care, The CDC recommends that all young children be screened for development at least 3 times prior to entering kindergarten. Additional screenings are recommended for autism spectrum disorder at 18 months and at either 24 or 30 months. Hearing, dental and vision screenings are recommended as well. A Healthy Beginnings screening covers all this and much more. It serves as an important first step for caring, concerned parents and one stop shopping for community resources for hundreds of families every year.

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 further 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. In addition, early literacy information and kindergarten readiness as well as parent education are also provided.

Don’t miss this opportunity, appointments are still being accepted for theFriday, October 16 th screening clinic in Sisters. The clinic will be hosted by Sisters Elementary School, 611 East Cascade, appointments are recommended but walk-ins are welcome between 9:00 and 11:00 am.

Healthy Beginnings provides these screenings through community support and is one of many programs offered in partnership with the High Desert Education Service District. Additional support for this screening clinic is provided by the United Way of Deschutes County and the Sisters School District. Please visit our website atwww.myhb.orgfor 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.

Call to learn more –541.383.6357or visit HB’s website to make your child’s appointment, to donate or to volunteer.

Healthy Beginnings is a “21 Cares for Kids” partner.