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"Children spend a large
part of their life in school
and their health problems
can have a negative impact
on growth, development
and learning." |
West Palm Beach, FL - Palm Healthcare Foundation, Inc. (PHF) recently announced that it has awarded $75,000 to Easter Seals Amar Child Development Center in West Palm Beach. The grant will create a staff position for a school nurse at the center, which offers a Therapeutic Child Development Program for infants and young children birth through age five and outpatient therapy for children from birth to six years old.
The school nurse has a unique role in the provision of school health services for children with special health needs. They access health status, identify problems creating a barrier to educational progress and create healthcare plans that manage problems in school.
"Children spend a large part of their life in school and their health problems can have a negative impact on growth, development and learning," said Suzette Wexner, President of PHF. "By having a school nurse on site at the center, children will have the supportive health services they need so that they can remain in school and work toward developmental goals at the time in their lives when they are most ready to learn."
The nurse contributes particular expertise in discussing health history, interpreting medical records and offering information about the physical and developmental status of the child. The school nurse also has a key role in the provision of emergency care to students and the development of prevention strategies. Many emergencies are avoided daily in the schools because school nurses have established individual healthcare plans for students with special health needs and have educated parents and staff members in prevention and early intervention techniques.
The Amar Child Development Center currently accommodates about 150 children in its new 23,000 square foot building. The center has 10 classrooms, four therapy rooms, indoor and outdoor play areas, a conference room and administrative offices. It also offers space for pediatric outpatient therapy and the county's first Boundless Playground, a recreation area structured for children with special needs. For more information, please call 561-471-1688 or visit the website at www.fl.easterseals.org
Palm Healthcare Foundation, Inc. is an independent community healthcare foundation dedicated to the good health of Palm Beach County. The foundation concentrates its funding on programs that improve access to healthcare and advance nursing practice and education. For more information, please visit the website at www.palmhealthcarefoundation.org or call 561-833-6333.
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MediaReach Public Relations
Media Contact: Rachel Bunge Gutierrez
Email: rachelg@mediareachpr.com
Office 561.659.4111
Website: mediareachpr.com |
