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Free clinic offered to county children |
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Friday, 18 September 2009 |
By KAREN CAMPBELL
Assistant Managing Editor
A free clinic for children from birth to age 5 is offering parents information about their children’s health, a county health official says, that they might not otherwise discover so early in life.
Health professionals and members of the community, as well as representatives of community organizations are donating their time for the annual fall Help Me Grow clinic. Two clinics also are typically held each spring in the county.
Without volunteers, the clinic may not be possible. The screenings, which are made possible through funding from the Ohio Department of Health and open to anyone within the age range, are sponsored by Help Me Grow, the Auglaize County Early Childhood Collaborative Group.
“It’s a chance for parents to bring their children in and have them tested in all areas, from developmental to medical, hearing, vision, feet and ankles,” said Charlotte Axe, who serves as project director for Help Me Grow through the Auglaize County Health Department.
“If you have questions about your infant or toddler’s development, now is the time to get answers to them,” she said. “Don’t delay. The sooner you get help for your child, the brighter his or her future will be. Learning and growing happen naturally, but can be affected for good or for bad by many things.”
Axe said they typically get a good response from throughout the county to the screenings, which can answer questions about how infants and toddlers are growing and learning, and addresses specific concerns like sitting, talking, walking or eating.
“If there is a need for special help, the sooner it is provided, the better it will be for your child,” Axe said.
The Health Department has been offering the screenings as a community service for 16 years.
“They are free, they just take time, depending on the number of people who attend,” Axe said. “If you’re looking for a comprehensive look at your child or if you have specific concerns, this is a good place to start. Help us make a difference in children’s lives.”
Results of the screening are passed on to the parents, and with their permission, the family physician. They also may be forwarded for further evaluation if necessary.
“At least they can get the information,” Axe said. “What they do with it is their choice.”
The clinic is scheduled from 3:30 to 6 p.m. Monday at the ABC Center, 20 E. First St., in New Bremen. Walk-ins are welcome or to pre-register and to complete an informational form early or for more information, call Charlotte Axe at the Auglaize County Health Department at 738-3410 or 1-800-531-6134.
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Last Updated ( Monday, 21 September 2009 )
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