Healthy Start of Anderson County Continues to Serve Community
Healthy Start of Anderson County has a fresh start thanks to the efforts of Prevent Child Abuse Tennessee, United Way of Anderson County, Oak Ridge City and local residents. Troubled by the economic downturn, the parent agency, Anderson County Health Council, closed down operations during the summer. However, as a result of several local residents committed to this valuable program, a new partnership was formed with Prevent Child Abuse Tennessee to keep Healthy Start of Anderson County operational.
Healthy Start provides professional home visitor services to first-time parents of Anderson County whose babies are identified as being at risk for abuse or neglect. It is not an intervention program; it is a prevention program. Modeled after a highly successful program in Hawaii, its purpose is to work with high risk parents to help them develop good parenting skills, thus drastically reducing child abuse and neglect.
"We are excited to keep services in place," said Marcia Slagle, program director. "This program has worked with over 350 Mom's and Dad's over the years, and not one case of child abuse has occurred."
- 341 (96%) of Healthy Start babies are at their age appropriate developmental level.
- 356 (100%) of the babies have a "medical home," well baby checks, and age-appropriate immunizations.
- Of the 280 babies enrolled prenatally, 266 were normal birth weight, 13 babies weighed 4-5 pounds, and one baby weighed between 3-4 pounds.
- Of the 356 at-risk babies enrolled in the program, only 7 children have been removed from the home for neglect, a rate of 1%, compared to 12% nationally. No child has been removed for abuse.
- Of the 356 moms who have been involved in the program, only 20 have had second pregnancies, a rate of 5% as compared to 22% in the general population.
- When monitors from the national Healthy Start office came to evaluate the program, the report stated that Anderson County's was an elite "model program".
"I was excited when Anderson County asked us to help sustain this very valuable service," said Prevent Child Abuse Tennessee's (PCAT) Executive Director Carla Snodgrass. "Having Healthy Start of Anderson County as part of PCAT is a perfect fit and helps us fulfill our mission and expand our reach."
In 1998 PCAT became the Tennessee Chapter of Prevent Child Abuse America, changing our name to Prevent Child Abuse Tennessee. In 2000 PCAT became a founding member of the National Family Support Roundtable and brought the Circle of Parents concept to Tennessee. As a chapter of Prevent Child Abuse America and a member of the National Family Support Roundtable, they receive national support in the areas of advocacy, public awareness, and research.
"I want to thank Oak Ridge City government, United Way and all those who worked to keep this program viable," Snodgrass said. "It is so needed especially with the stressors of the economy."
"We thank the former Board members of the Health Council for working through this," said Rick Morrow, Director of United Way of Anderson County. "The UWAC Board was committed to keeping the services in place locally and PCAT is a perfect partner to accomplish this."
In September, Healthy Start of Anderson County moved into office space at the former Trinity Methodist Church, 320 Robertsville Road, Oak Ridge. Because Healthy Start offers free services to families, First United Methodist Church is providing Healthy Start low rent office space. For further information regarding Healthy Start of Anderson County, contact Marcia Slagle at 483-7377 or visit: http://www.pcat.org/anderson-county-healthy-start/
Our topics include: Americans With Disabilities Act Amended, Wage Reimbursement Incentive Program, The Myths of Disabilities, Employment Under The Ability One Program and Talent Has No Boundaries. In addition to the presentations by our forum guests, we will also be celebrating the accomplishments of a few of our individuals and employment partners. We are honored to be in partnership with the Anderson County Chamber. It should be a great event!
