If you could help a child, would you?

Shawna struggled through first grade, missing a lot of school because of complications from untreated asthma. Without medical insurance, Shawn’s mother couldn’t afford the doctor’s visits or the medicine necessary to ease her daughter’s difficulty in breathing. When the HEALS Clinic opened at her school, Shawna obtained the necessary assessment, medical treatment and education necessary for dealing with this potentially fatal disease. Now in third grade, Shawna seldom misses a day of school and is doing better academically.

HEALS (Health Establishments At Local Schools) provides free school-based comprehensive medical and dental services, mental health counseling and social services to children. HEALS’ clinics are presently located in three Title I schools in Huntsville, Alabama. We take referrals from all schools in Huntsville as well as a few in Madison County. We strive to positively affect school attendance and academic performance. We are strong advocates for accessible health care.

The death of a kindergartener due to undiagnosed Meningitis prompted Barbara Johnson, principal at West Huntsville Elementary School, to approach HEALS about opening a clinic at her school. HEALS opened its third medical clinic at this school in December 2003. The others are located at Terry Heights and Lincoln Schools.

Services offered include:

Primary Medical Services, including Dental
Social Work Services
Immunizations
Educational Classes for students and parents
Medications
PAL Reading Program
Lab Work, X-ray
Health Screenings and sports physicals
Mental Health Counseling

The HEALS dental clinic, which opened in 2000, has had over 5,000 visits, providing more than $650,000 worth of dental care. The success of this clinic has shown that affordable, accessible dental care for underserved children is not just a dream. Fifteen local dentists, as well as dental assistants and hygienists, volunteer their time in providing services to HEALS’ children.

HEALS is having a fundraiser on October 28th at The Furniture Factory Bar & Grill. “Kick Up Your HEALS For Kids’ Health” will raise funds to continue providing services to the underserved children in our community. Donations to HEALS stay in the community and go directly to providing services to the children in our area. For the cost of a ticket, you will be offered free beer, wine, and food. There will be a silent auction and raffle with a live band for entertainment. Please make plans to attend and support our children. Because children have a right to be healthy.