USA - $20 million donation will treat underserved Illinois kids
$20 million donation will treat underserved Illinois kids
Posted Jan. 9, 2008
By Stacie Crozier
Hinsdale, Ill.— The Illinois Children's Healthcare Foundation in November awarded more than $4 million in grants to 19 programs throughout the state to help establish or expand dental care programs for children.
The ILCHF will spend the next five years helping underserved children in Illinois smile by investing $20 million to increase access to oral health care. The foundation is focusing its efforts on three main strategies to help increase access: building the capacity of the state's safety-net system, increasing the workforce of dental professionals in underserved areas and educating consumers, caregivers and other health professionals about the importance of oral health in overall health.
In Illinois, recent statistics have shown that 55 percent of third-graders overall have tooth decay and 64 percent of third-graders in the state's free/reduced-price lunch program have tooth decay."First, we recognize the connection between having good oral health and having good overall health—particularly with children," said Susan Kerr, ILCHF president. "A child with poor oral health can't learn and grow like his or her peers.
"And second," added Ms. Kerr, "we have chosen to direct a substantial portion of our giving over the next five years to initiatives designed to improve oral health because it is the right time to do so. Illinois has made great strides in combating access to care issues over the past few years and we believe that our dollars—coupled with investments from others we hope to enlist in our work—can make a significant impact on the issue in a relatively short time."
Programs that fit into their broad funding categories include helping community health centers, clinics and other safety-net providers add or expand dental services for children; encouraging more dental professionals to treat Medicaid patients and helping underserved areas find dental care providers; and educating consumers, caregivers at schools, preschools, Head Starts and more about the importance of oral health care.
The foundation welcomes calls, thoughts and ideas as the initiative moves forward.
For details, log on to the foundation's Web site: www.ilchf.org.
NYSCOF: Fluoridation is state-mandated
Posted Jan. 9, 2008
By Stacie Crozier
Hinsdale, Ill.— The Illinois Children's Healthcare Foundation in November awarded more than $4 million in grants to 19 programs throughout the state to help establish or expand dental care programs for children.
The ILCHF will spend the next five years helping underserved children in Illinois smile by investing $20 million to increase access to oral health care. The foundation is focusing its efforts on three main strategies to help increase access: building the capacity of the state's safety-net system, increasing the workforce of dental professionals in underserved areas and educating consumers, caregivers and other health professionals about the importance of oral health in overall health.
In Illinois, recent statistics have shown that 55 percent of third-graders overall have tooth decay and 64 percent of third-graders in the state's free/reduced-price lunch program have tooth decay."First, we recognize the connection between having good oral health and having good overall health—particularly with children," said Susan Kerr, ILCHF president. "A child with poor oral health can't learn and grow like his or her peers.
"And second," added Ms. Kerr, "we have chosen to direct a substantial portion of our giving over the next five years to initiatives designed to improve oral health because it is the right time to do so. Illinois has made great strides in combating access to care issues over the past few years and we believe that our dollars—coupled with investments from others we hope to enlist in our work—can make a significant impact on the issue in a relatively short time."
Programs that fit into their broad funding categories include helping community health centers, clinics and other safety-net providers add or expand dental services for children; encouraging more dental professionals to treat Medicaid patients and helping underserved areas find dental care providers; and educating consumers, caregivers at schools, preschools, Head Starts and more about the importance of oral health care.
The foundation welcomes calls, thoughts and ideas as the initiative moves forward.
For details, log on to the foundation's Web site: www.ilchf.org.
NYSCOF: Fluoridation is state-mandated
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