For any number of reasons, children who become involved with Lucas County Children Services may not have had the benefit of quality, consistent healthcare in their past. Their families may have moved a lot, lacked transportation, or were unable to afford medical care.
Fortunately, youth whose families do become involved with LCCS receive the important screenings and treatment they need – everything from school physicals, to dental care, vision and hearing screenings, to immunizations or referrals to specialists.
This past July, LCCS health services supervisor Charisse Madison, BSN, RN, connected with the team that runs the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile from the ProMedica Russel J. Ebeid Children’s Hospital. The Care Mobile travels all over Northwest Ohio, providing essential medical services to families who cannot afford or are unable to access primary health care. They developed a plan that would bring Care Mobile resources to children who needed health services as part of their contact with Children Services.
“LCCS strives to protect and support children, and the mobile clinic will help us do that by providing quality healthcare that supports their growth and development. The children will benefit from physicals that identify any medical needs and immunizations to protect them against illness. This collaboration will also give medical students the experience of working with youth with diverse backgrounds and medical histories while also giving back to the community,” explained Nurse Madison.
Nurse Madison, Amy Galvan, manager of Family and Community Engagement (FACE), and Brian Woods, FACE assistant manager, are selecting children who are due for their physicals and immunizations. With support from our partners at the Toledo-Lucas County Public Library, we will hold the clinic at the centrally located Mott Branch. We are looking forward to working with the mobile care clinic on future healthcare initiatives.