Child Health
Health services are a part of the program that promotes your child’s overall health.
The Direct Service Team (DST) or Home Visitor (HV) will work with you to obtain any necessary health services for your child. The Health Service Specialist is available for questions, health education and information about community health resources.
Our goal is good health for your child and continuing good health for the entire family. Please let us know if there is any way we can assist you with your health care concerns.
Comprehensive Health Screenings
Benton Franklin Head Start completes Health Screenings for every enrolled child with 45 days of service to ensure they are ready and able to learn. Health Screenings include:
- Vision
- Hearing
- Growth Assessment (Height/Weight)
Oral Health Education
Benton Franklin Head Start works in partnership with Benton Franklin Health District to provide Oral Health Education to our children and families. Oral Health Education include:
- Dental screening for children enrolled in the program
- Fluoride Varnish applications
- Parent meetings on Oral Health provided by Dentistry for Kids and Advanced Pediatric Dentistry
Healthy Smiles and Bodies Grant
- Educates families on preventable Medical and Oral Health care and treatment
- Provides the books "What To Do When Your Child Gets Sick" and "What To Do For Healthy Teeth" to families in Benton and Franklin Counties
- Offers first aid training to Head Start parents.
Health Services Advisory Committee
The Health Services Advisory Committee is an advisory group that brings together staff, parents, and local health care providers to talk about the planning, operation, and evaluation of the health services in each Head Start program.
The following are some of the ways HSAC supports wellness of Head Start children and families:
- linking children to ongoing sources of continuous, accessible health care
- engaging parents in identifying and accessing health services and resources
- helping establish ongoing partnerships with community organizations
- ensuring learning environments in the home and at the center supports each child's social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development
