Access to healthcare matters, especially in a child’s earliest years.
According to the CDC, nearly 16% of adults living below the federal poverty level lack reliable transportation—a major barrier to essential care. To help bridge this gap, our partnership with Estella Byrd Whitman Community Health Center (EBWCHC) provides families at our Skylark, TGC, and home-based programs with convenient on-site immunizations and physicals.
“By bringing healthcare directly to our Head Start centers, we’re removing barriers such as transportation, meeting families where they are, and ensuring our children never miss a vital health check-up,” says Jamila Green-Davis, Director of Health and Nutrition Services.
Through this partnership, families also gain access to EBWCHC’s primary health center, specialty care via referral, and a sliding fee schedule—complete with transportation from their home to the health center and specialty offices.
“Opening a clinic at our Skylark center means children and families won’t have to choose between accessing early learning and accessing health care; they will have both, in one place,” says Jessica Bone, Sr. Director of Child Wellness. “This kind of integration increases access to critical screenings and immunizations, helps families build health literacy, and strengthens the network of community partners who are all working toward the same goal: giving every child the healthiest Head Start possible.”
We’re proud to help bring healthcare closer to the families we serve, because healthy children are better positioned to learn, grow, and thrive!
