This is one story …
Imagine your two year old insevere pain and unable to tell you why they’re crying, can’t sleep or simply not eating. This is a common occurrence for many children living in poverty. Children who are not getting proper oral care are more likely to beliving in pain. The effects are far reaching.
Fortunately, Mariela’s mother, Ana Rios, a single working mother of five children, was able toenroll in the Head Start/Early Head StartProgram.
Since they’ve enrolled, the family has beenreceiving home based visiting services from the Riverbend Head Start’s Family Advocate, Crystal Jennings. She has successfully helped the familynavigate through a couple of immediate health, social, and emotional concerns.
After identifying that Mariela had some dental needs, the collaborationbetween Head Start,Associated PediatricDentistry, and MadisonCounty Community Service Block Grant allowed Mariela to receive extensive dental treatment soon afterenrolling. The cost fortreatment was over $2,800.
Since then, Mariela has said that her teeth are feeling good. Her mother Ana has expressed that even her older children enjoy visits with the Head Start Staff.