Marcy, NY (WIBX) - Kids enrolled in the HeadStart Program can now get additional services, following a partnership between the Oneida County Lead Primary Prevention Program and the Mohawk Valley Community Action Agency. County Executive Anthony Picente, Jr., says the move is to provide additional medical and dental screenings for needy children about to start the new school year. MVCAA on River Road in Marcy is holding the event tomorrow, 8/30, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Some of the agencies participating, and services offered, at the event are:

  • Physical exams: Dr. Susan Blatt, Medical Director of the Oneida County Health Department
  • Body Mass Index, Height and Weight Measurements, Hearing Testing: HeadStart staff
  • Vision Screening: Central Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired
  • Immunizations: Oneida County Health Department's Clinic Staff
  • Lead Testing and Lead Poisoning Prevention Education: Oneida County's Lead Poisoning Prevention Program
  • Developmental Screening: Dr. Andy Lopez-Williams, ADHD & Autism Advocates
  • Dental Exams: Dr. Charles Burns and Staff
  • Nutrition Information: WIC Program
  • Medical Providers and Insurance Assistance: Mohawk Valley Perinatal Network

Organizers say the event will also have a Lead Puppet Show, as well as healthy snacks for those in attendance. For more information about the multi-agency medical screening, visit, www.mvcaa.com. The event is taking place tomorrow at, 9882 River Road Utica, NY 13502. Contact the MVCAA offices at, (315) 733-4873, or (315)866-0030.

Oneida County Director of Health, Dr. Gayle Jones says the aim is to meet the immediate needs of the community. In a released statement Jones said, "We recognize that some newly arrived families have not had the opportunity to establish medical and dental providers for their children or lack the insurance resources to pay for such care and might otherwise be forced to wait several months for an appointment. This community partnership program provides the preventative health services that insures these children begin their education experience in a timely manner while assisting the families in obtaining insurance and medical providers at the same time."

Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente, Jr., who made the announcement about the medical screenings said, "During these difficult fiscal times, it's essential that we develop creative public/private initiatives to insure the needs of our community's children are met. I commend each of these providers for taking time from their busy schedules to provide children from low income families the necessary services that will allow them to begin their HeadStart school experience and to once again demonstrate the broad range of resources that can be leveraged when the public and private sectors work together for the benefit of our community."

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