HEALTHY SMILES FOR PRESCHOOLERS

                         MONEY IS AVAILABLE

         To serve Children 3-5 Years Old in need of Assistance
         with Dental Care          


Guidelines:
Child must be between 3-5 years of age (on or after August 15, 2007).
Child must not qualify for Medicaid or Health Choice.
Families must reside in McDowell County.
Child must have a "dental need".

Families must fit into the following income guidelines:

Family Size                    Maximum Annual Gross Income
2                                     Up to $33,000 per year
3                                     Up to $41,500 per year
4                                     Up to $50,000 per year
5                                     Up to $58,500 per year
6                                     Up to $67,000 per year
7                                     Up to $75,500 per year


Funding is limited.

Successful applicants must be willing to make a $10 co-payment to the dentist.

Download Application Here.  Please return completed application to the Partnership Office at 70 North Main Street, Suite 3, in Marion.

Click for Flyer.

The "Healthy Smiles for Preschoolers" Grant is made possible with United Way Funding.

McDowell County Partnership for Children Receives State Award
 

The McDowell County Partnership for Children & Families was presented with a North Carolina Performance-Based Incentive System (PBIS) award by the North Carolina Partnership for Children during a Celebration Dinner held at the National Smart Start Conference in Greensboro on May 10, 2007.  Former Governor Jim Hunt was the keynote speaker for the event.

The award and check for $2,000 was given to the McDowell County Partnership in recognition of achieving the highest standards in the area of Early Care & Education Placements in McDowell County.  In McDowell County, 80% of children enrolled in regulated child care are in 4-and 5-star care compared to the state average of 56%. 
In order to qualify for the award, the local Partnership must have no audit findings.

The Performance-Based Incentive System is an annual performance evaluation that was implemented by the North Carolina Partnership for Children in 2001.  The PBIS has identified specific criteria and has established a "minimum" and "high performing" standard for each criteria.  Partnerships can qualify for PBIS Incentive Awards in two categories: Health or Early Childhood Care - Child Placements.  The McDowell Partnership is a three-time recipient of this award. 

Funding for this award is provided by AT&T.






Pictured are (from left) Senator Joe Sam Queen, Dr. Joan Conway, Paige Zeigler, Caroline Rodier, Former Governor Jim Hunt, Courtney Hollifield, Kim Welborn, Becky MacKinnon, and Peggy Freeman.



 

McDowell County Children's Summit
Promoting Healthy Bodies and Healthy Minds:

Working Together to Support a Community in Transition
 

The McDowell County Partnership for Children & Families partnered with McDowell County Schools on January 26, 2007 for the first Children's Summit in McDowell County that was held at Marion's First United Methodist Church.  The purpose of the summit was to allow agencies the opportunity to network and receive information and referral of services to better serve the children of the county.  It was a very successful event with approximately 200 participants. Two keynote speakers included Paula Hudson Collins, an instructor with East Carolina University's Health Education and Promotion Department who has served as an advisor on health issues at the state level and  Dr. Rick Spurling, author of "The Bully Free School", and the District Assistant Superintendent of Mitchell County Schools. Presentations and breakout sessions on a variety of topics, including Kindergarten Readiness & Transition, Foster Care & Homelessness, Pregnancy Prevention and Adolescent Parenting, Substance Abuse and Child Abuse & Neglect, Early Intervention, Early Childhood Hot Topics, Dental Health, Child and Family Support, and panel discussions on Health Issues and Community and School Involvement followed the keynote speakers. Information tables from approximately 26 agencies provided participants with information on services for children and families.  The event was funded by grants from McDowell County Schools, the Partnership for Children & Families, Baxter Healthcare, Communities in Schools, Be Active Appalachian Partnership and the McDowell County Health Department's Eat Smart/Move More NC.