Kids 1st Health Fair set for Aug. 1 in Waukegan

On Aug. 1, the annual Kids 1st Health Fair will mark its 20th year of providing health services to children in preparation for school.

On one day every year for the past two decades, the fair has provided a variety of free services, from immunizations to dental screenings, with an estimated overall value of approximately $1.6 million to 30,000 Lake County children.

Sponsored by the Lake County Health Department/Community Health Center, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science and United Way of Lake County, this year’s fair will be at Miguel Juarez Middle School, 201 N. Butrick St., Waukegan, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Organizers are expecting more than 1,000 children to receive services this year.

Organizers said they know that if these services aren’t offered many children will be turned away on the first day of school.

“Our goal is to have all children ready to learn from day one of the school year,” added Kristi Long, president and CEO of United Way of Lake County.

The event began in 1993 thanks to the philanthropic leadership of the Abbott Fund, the foundation of the global health care company Abbott, which is based in Lake County. The Abbott Fund continues as a primary funder of the event. Prior to that, many children in Lake County were failing to receive required health services in time for school enrollment deadlines.

The health department worked with local businesses and agencies to coordinate a group of physicians, health care providers and others willing to volunteer their time and provide the services at a one-day event.

More than 700 nurses, lab technicians, health aids, clerical staff, doctors, dentists, community residents, corporate employees and bilingual volunteers now come together annually to help children of limited-income families receive the medical services they need.

“The convenience of providing one-stop shopping of health services for children of limited income families has demonstrated its worth over 20 years,” said Irene Pierce, the health department’s executive director.

The fair is free for Lake County families who meet specific income guidelines. For example, a family of four with a gross income limit of $44,643 would qualify for services.

State required services provided at the fair include dental screenings for children in Head Start, preschool, kindergarten, second and sixth grades; physicals for children in Head Start, preschool, kindergarten, sixth and ninth grades; and immunizations for children entering preschool, kindergarten, sixth and ninth grades.

Also, eligible children entering sixth and ninth grades will receive a pertussis (whooping cough) vaccine, which is a new state requirement for children entering these grades.

The fir offers considerable savings for eligible families. For one child at the full-pay level, school supplies combined with the cost of a physical, dental exam, and two vaccinations at the Lake County Health Department would normally cost $228.

The fair also provides a variety of other health screenings, including lead and hemoglobin. If a medical condition is found, referrals are made and the health department or another provider follows up. Families can also submit applications to All Kids, a health insurance program for children.

Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science will provide expertise in podiatric medicine for foot and shoe assessments; physical therapy professionals to analyze the impact a students’ backpack has on their gait and make necessary adjustments to the backpack for better weight distribution; and nutrition experts that can speak to families about properly-balanced snacks and meals.

Upon evidence of completion of all required health services, school-age children will receive free books, a new backpack and age-appropriate school supplies. School supplies will only be given to children who qualify for and receive at least one of the required medical services, while supplies last.

A few requirements must be met for families to receive services through the fair. They are as follows:

Ÿ The immunization record for each child receiving services.

Ÿ All Kids Insurance Card or Public Aid (serves as proof of income and residency).

If you don’t have All Kids or Public Aid, you need to provide the following:

Ÿ Proof of Lake County residency (current driver’s license or utility bill).

Ÿ If employed, last two pay stubs or letter from employer indicating cash payment amount.

Ÿ If unemployed, last two unemployment stubs, dismissal letter from employer, or statement from family/friends providing current assistance.

For more information, contact Deb Warner with the Lake County Health Department at (847) 377-8870.