Coordination of Head Start Services with Health Care

Child Care Health Advocate Training for Head Start Health Coordinators

The NC HSSCO has partnered with the Division of Public Health, Children and Youth Branch, and NC Central University to convene an extended series of statewide health trainings for Early/Head Start health-services staff. These "hybrid trainings" (part online, part face-to-face) will be conveniently offered across the State of North Carolina from August 2008 through April 2009.

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Pilot Project to Expand Dental Services for Children

The NC Head Start-State Collaboration Office (HSSCO) is pleased to announce the launch of a pilot project that will expand dental services to Head Start children in the State.  The HSSCO has teamed up with the “Friendly Neighborhood Dental Van” – a Charlotte-based dental team that operates a mobile dental unit.  The van is outfitted with specialized dental equipment and exam chairs so that dental examinations as well as many follow-up treatments can be conducted on the mobile unit.  Dental services will now be brought to the children served in the Head Start programs in Yadkin and Mecklenburg Counties.

The pilot was developed in response to the general lack of availability of pediatric dental providers in the targeted counties.  This issue is worsened by the dwindling number of dental providers that accept Medicaid.  The pilot project will ensure that children who are covered by Medicaid and children with no insurance at all will have access to dental services in a timely manner.  (Head Start Performance Standards require that each child obtain an age-appropriate dental examination within 90 days of entry into a Head Start program; and that children receive follow-up treatment, as necessary).

updated September 8, 2008

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