SIUC Head Start was awarded a $10,000 Champions for Healthy Kids grant from the General Mills Foundation. The funds are being utilized to enhance I Am Moving, I Am Learning obesity-prevention education program for children and families as well as the employee wellness program.

The I Am Moving, I Am Learning (IM-IL) program was formulated specifically for Head Start in order to fit into the Performance Standards, curricula and classroom routines employed by Head Start programs nationwide.

The overarching goals of I Am Moving, I Am Learning are to:
Increase the quantity of time spent in moderate to vigorous physical activity during the daily routine to meet national guidelines for physical activity
Improve the quality of structured movement experiences intentionally facilitated by teachers and adults;
Improve healthy nutrition choices for children everyday.

Through the Champions grant, SIUC Head Start was able to purchase IM-IL kits for each classroom which included music, books and learning props such as scarves, balls, bean bags, etc. Staff received training in August on implementing IM-IL.

Parents received training on IM-IL at their annual parent education activity on Saturday, November 15, 2008. They learned about the program, experienced what their children are learning at Head Start and received a mini-kit to take home filled with similar items as the classroom kits. Head Start had record turnout for this event and received excellent feedback from parents.

The SIUC Head Start staff wellness program also received a boost thanks to the Champions for Healthy Kids grant. In August every employee received a gym bag filled with “goodies” such as a pedometer, resistance bands, water bottles, etc. Weekly wellness challenges have been implemented for staff to focus on various health goals and track their personal progress. Average weekly participation in the voluntary program is 20-25 employees. The employee wellness program has been in place since 2004 and has included activities like a biggest loser competition, lunch and learn sessions, and Heart Smart for Women classes.

SIUC Head Start’s Collaboration/Training Specialist, Joyce Guy, was selected to serve as a regional trainer for the I Am Moving, I Am Learning program through the Office of Head Start, which is under the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Administration for Children & Families (ACF). She will represent ACF Region V, which includes Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota and Ohio.

Joyce received additional training last Spring and will travel to Ohio and Michigan this winter to present to Head Start programs in those states.

A special thanks to Mary Finley for her three years of service on the SIUC Head Start Policy Council. Mary’s contributions to the Council will be missed. The Policy Council works with management staff and designated university officials to establish program plans and services. The SIUC Head Start Policy Council is made up of Head Start parents and representatives from the community. We would like to extend our gratitude to Mary for her years of service and dedication to the program.

SIUC Head Start’s Community Reading Week was held November 17-21, 2008. During this week, Head Start emphasizes leaders in particular fields and their contributions to the community. Leaders are invited to visit our Head Start centers, read to preschool children in our classrooms and explain the kinds of jobs they do.

This year’s event focused on those in health professions; featured readers included doctors, nurses, dental professionals, counselors/mental health service providers, and specialists in fitness/wellness.

Children learned what each person does to keep kids healthy. In addition, they were able to see these professionals in a setting other than a medical office, which helps ease their fears.

We would like to extend our appreciation to those who participated in SIUC Head Start’s Community Reading Week. These individuals provided young children with a learning experience, and also demonstrated the value of community involvement.

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Obtaining oral health services for young children is a priority for Head Start programs nationwide. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Service’s Office of Head Start requires that Head Start programs provide the following oral health services:

• Assist families in securing a dental home
• Ensure that every enrolled child receives an annual comprehensive dental exam within 90 days of the child’s first day of attendance
• Develop and implement a follow-up plan for children needing additional dental treatment
• Encourage parents to be active partners in their children’s health and dental care process
• Promote effective dental hygiene among children in conjunction with meals

The SIUC Head Start program and the Southern Illinois community continue to struggle to find oral health services for children receiving Medicaid benefits (All Kids) or uninsured children. The challenges in meeting these requirements are accessibility and availability of dental providers who accept Medicaid/All Kids and the time-frame requirements of Head Start.

In Spring 2008, SIUC Head Start received a $5,000 grant from the Illinois Department of Public Health - Division of Oral Health. Through this grant a workshop was held to educate area physician offices and social service agencies on the importance of early dental services. Training was provided by the Illinois Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Illinois Department of Public Health - Division of Oral Health. This grant supported the development and printing of SIUC Head Start Working to Improve Oral Health of Children, an Executive Summary of Oral Health Status September 2008.

This full-color booklet details the oral health status and services provided to SIUC Head Start enrolled children over the past few years and is being distributed to community stakeholders. Please contact Toni Kay Wright at SIUC Head Start if you are interested in receiving a copy of this publication. In addition to the booklets, Pediatric Toothbrushing Kits were purchased through the grant and provided to parents attending educational sessions on oral health.

In July 2008, SIUC Community Dental Center provided on-site dental exams for children planning to attend Head Start in the fall as well as siblings entering public school grades which require a dental exam. On November 6-7, Miles of Smiles provided on-site dental exams at Head Start, 143 children were seen over those two days.

It is only through collaboration, outreach and advocacy that the Southern Illinois community will be able to ensure that it’s youngest members are healthy and ready to learn.