2008-2009 Head Start Annual Report : Percentage of Enrolled Children who Received Medical and Dental Exams
PERCENTAGE OF ENROLLED CHILDREN WHO RECEIVED
MEDICAL & DENTAL EXAMS
The ultimate goal for each family enrolled in one of our Programs is to establish and maintain a medical and dental home. Michigan daycare licensing mandates that each child have a physical exam on file, including hemoglobin and lead screening, within 30 days of enrollment into either Head Start or Great Start Readiness. A child may not attend school if this requirement is not met. In addition, Head Start Performance Standards require that each enrolled child must receive a developmental screening and work toward completing preventive dental care within 45 days of enrollment.
Developmental screening is provided primarily through the DIAL screening process, which occurs during the summer months and as needed throughout the remainder of the program year. This is a joint endeavor accomplished by staff from both the Department of Early Childhood and the Department of Special Education. DIAL screening enables staff to identify children who may need additional support in the areas of cognition, motor skills and language development, as well as hearing, vision and mental health. When a child is identified as having a need, referrals are made at the time of screening to enable the most timely implementation of services for the child.
If a family does not have access to medical care, every effort is made to work with the family to establish a medical home. The staff of the Department of Early Childhood works with families by referring them to the appropriate agencies, assisting them in filling out forms and paperwork, and by working with the local Health Department to provide health services for children within the mandated timeframe if no other options exist. In 2008-09, 100% of children enrolled had a physical exam on file. Two hundred out of 209 children were covered by health insurance. Of these 200 children:
- 151 children were covered by Medicaid;
- 3 children were covered by MIChild;
- 4 children had combined private insurance/Medicaid;
- 41 children were covered by private insurance;
- 1 child was covered by military insurance;
- 9 children did not have health insurance.
Families who decline to have a dental exam completed for their child must have a signed and dated waiver on file. During 2008-09, 94.25% (197/209) of enrolled children had either received preventive dental care or had a waiver (19) on file. Families are encouraged to participate in a dental screening; however, no punitive action is taken if they decline. Reasons for waivers may include the following:
· Child is not covered by dental insurance,
· Parent/Guardian feels child is too young,
· Dentist feels child is too young,
· Child is uncooperative,
· Parent/Guardian’s personal views and/or history influence declination of services.
In the event that a child is not covered by dental insurance and the family cannot afford a professional exam, the family is linked with a local dentist who participates yearly with the Give Kids a Smile outreach program. This program provides for an exam, as well as limited care, at no cost to the family. The family may choose to have siblings of the enrolled child participate as well. In 2008-09, 7 children received services through the Give Kids a Smile program.
