SCCC's Health Occupations Class Received a Donation to Help Support the Foster Children Christmas Project

 Students at the South Central Career Center Health Occupations class participated in the review and revision of the high school curriculum resource, An Ounce of Prevention:  Addressing Birth Defects Related to Folic Acid, Alcohol and Tobacco. In recognition of their contribution to the project, West Plains Chamber of Commerce Gift Certificates of $260 have been presented to the South Central Career Center Health Occupations Class to support their participation in the Foster Children Christmas Project. This award comes through a mini-grant from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services and the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.

This resource was originally created in 2000 by a team of authors from the University of Missouri Health Sciences Center and University of Missouri Extension through funding from the March of Dimes. The 2010 revision project is funded by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, and the March of Dimes. The content of the curriculum resource focuses on the prevention of health problems of infants which have a preventative factor related to folic acid in the diet and the use of alcohol and tobacco during pregnancy. Additionally, two new chapters are being included on Family Health History and Newborn Screening. 

The student input was a critical component of this curriculum resource revision. The South Central Career Center students were led by two of the class members, Ava Anderson and Haley Barber, with assistance from SCCC instructors, Christi Heidi, Debbie King and Emily Gibson.  The students reviewed the curriculum activities, resources, and assessments and collected feedback from the class members. Recently concluded, the review process began September 8, 2010.  Students will also be given a final preview of the completed project.  The students devoted time weekly, with feedback summarized and submitted to Brenda Bell, project coordinator. The students provided valuable information about the curriculum resource from the learners' perspective, and also gained new information and knowledge about the subject area presented.  The project was truly a "win-win" for all who were involved.