Back to School Event offers physicals, immunizations and free information sessions to families August 8-12.

Maybe more important than new crayons and binders, all Palm Beach County students must be up-to-date on immunizations and physicals by the start of school on August 22.

photo courtesy of Graeme Weatherston

To assist parents and families as they enter countdown mode to the start of public school in Palm Beach County in a matter of weeks, FoundCare Health Center will honor National Community Health Center Week from August 8-12 with its own Pediatric Wellness Week – featuring activities, free information sessions, physicals and immunizations – all with a back-to-school theme.

“With more than 250,000 uninsured people living in Palm Beach County, access to care is more critical than ever,” said Yolette Bonnet, CEO for FoundCare.  “FoundCare Health Center is a nonprofit full-service community health center providing medical care for Palm Beach County residents with limited or no health insurance, regardless of their ability to pay.  In keeping with our mission, this week’s activities will assist families in meeting the school requirements, and introduce them to quality care and possibly even insurance opportunities.”

According to the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC), there are 44 million uninsured people in this nation and another 56 million who, although they may have health insurance, live in areas without doctors and basic health services. National Health Center Week 2011 is a chance to raise awareness and to provide an opportunity to focus on the progress our country has made toward fulfilling the NACHC goal of "Access for All America," to provide a healthcare home to 30 million patients by 2015.

On the heels of a successful back-to-school health fair hosted by FoundCare Health Center in collaboration with the Jamaicans of the Palm Beaches and T. Leroy Jefferson Medical Society on July 23, FoundCare Health Center reached more than 250 people in the daylong event.  More than 140 children received back-to-school physicals, including immunizations when needed.

FoundCare Health Center will offer school physicals and immunizations for only $20 to families every day during National Health Center Week, August 8th-12th from 8:30am-5pm.  In addition, FoundCare Health Center will offer a variety of education information sessions for families during National Health Center Week.    The following educational information sessions will be available free of charge:

Monday, August 8
Adopt-A-Family: 10am-11am
Legal Aid Clinic: 1:30pm-4pm

Tuesday, August 9
Budget Dental-Learn about good oral health habits: 9am-11am
BRIDGES: 1pm-3pm

Wednesday, August 10
Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office will be on-site to make identification cards for children: 8:30am-1pm

Thursday, August 11
Head Start Program-Learn about preschool programs: 9am-10:30am
Youth Services Bureau will be discussing mental health services for children: 1pm-3pm

Friday, August 12
Palm Springs Police Department will discuss bicycle, traffic and internet safety and will provide car seat installation training. *A limited number of car seats will be available for $25 purchase: 8:30am-3pm

Some of the yearly requirements for immunizations may have changed -- particularly if families have relocated from another state or are transferring to a new school within the county. To view current Palm Beach County School District requirements visit the FoundCare, School District or Palm Beach County Health Department web sites for a detailed list of requirements by age group.

FoundCare Health Center is located at 2330 South Congress Avenue, West Palm Beach.  For more information on FoundCare Health Center and its location, please visit www.foundcare.org or call 561- HEALTHY  (432-5849).