Most parents would describe the responsibility of having a child as being balanced by the joys and richness of parenthood. But there can be challenges, too.
Fortunately, there is ample help for parents when it comes to their child’s health and Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) is one of those best placed to support children and parents.
The VCH website: www.vch.ca/your_health/children/ is a perfect place to start when looking for information about any aspect of child health. Under the banner “supporting the health and well-being of children,” VCH offers detailed information about services for children from nutrition to school health and immunization to child mental health.
Child rearing can sometimes feel daunting, but there is support.
Staff at your local public health office work as a team in the community to support child health. They do this alongside community partners like Early Childhood Development care providers and schools to promote the optimum health of children and youth.
Specific services provided by the public health team include the health unit sensory screener who will check your child’s hearing and vision to catch any problems early on. April is Dental Health Month and events like Kindergarten health fairs provide screening and education for children (and their parents) about dental health, brushing and more. Similarly, speech and language therapists will check children’s speech and language before school entry. As with all screenings done by public health, referrals for follow-up are provided if needed.
Another member of the team is the public health nutritionist who offers support and assistance to help schools develop healthy eating policies. She or he also provides opportunities for parents to ask questions and make healthy food choices.
The role of the public health nurses includes offering recommended immunizations for school entry. They answer parents’ questions about child growth and development with each individual interaction or in groups either at the Health Unit or other community programs as guests.
A child’s early years are crucial to their future, which is why various public health centres organized special events for young children.
One of the most popular, and most effective, is the Kindergarten Health Fair. Held in most VCH communities well in advance of September school entry, these events bring together all the services a parent needs to prepare for their child’s entry to kindergarten: screening for hearing, vision and dental health; speech and language screening; immunization boosters and catch-up; information on childhood nutrition; and even tips about preventing injuries.
These events are a great way for parents to ensure their child is ready to enter school.
For the Sunshine Coast, three events are coming up: Gibsons on Wednesday, April 30 at the Gibsons Health Unit; and in Sechelt on Thursday and Friday, May 1 and 2 at the Sechelt Health Unit. Get ready by booking an appointment via the health unit.
Editor’s note: Dr. Paul Martiquet is the medical health officer for rural Vancouver Coastal Health including Powell River, the Sunshine Coast, Sea-to-Sky, Bella Bella and Bella Coola.
