The work of the KidCheck initiative was celebrated Tuesday during a ceremony at the State Capitol attended by the Governor, school superintendents and leaders of university and community college nursing schools. In addition to the health screenings, students received referrals for follow up care.

Governor Riley announced the creation of KidCheck in May 2008 to bring free health care screenings to children in grades K-12. The initiative is modeled after a successful program started in Bibb and Blount county schools. Through Governor Riley’s Alabama Rural Action Commission, and with the help of the Alabama Power Foundation and Blue Cross Blue Shield’s Child Caring Foundation, the health screenings were available in 23 school systems across the state during the 2008-2009 school year.

Schools interested in joining KidCheck partner with area college nursing programs, whose students administer the health screenings. Needed equipment and supplies are donated or borrowed from hospitals and health agencies.

“There’s no question that families in rural areas face special challenges in accessing health care. With KidCheck, we’re able to provide children in rural schools with complete head-to-toe health care assessments for free,” said Governor Riley.

Schools participating in KidCheck set aside a day during the school year for the health screenings. The screenings include height and weight measurements, body mass index measurements, heart and lung checks, vision and dental screenings, and inspections of the eyes, nose, throat, lungs and heart.

After each student finishes all screenings, the results are checked by a nurse or other trained person. Students with a gross abnormality are sent back for a re-check. Follow-up care is based on acuity of the student’s health need. Serious findings are addressed that same day. Parents receive a written report of the results. Local KidCheck coordinators work to ensure that the parents of all uninsured children have access to the joint public health insurance application.

Organizations such as Sight Savers America coordinate all follow-up eye care services for any student failing a KidCheck vision screening. Sarrell Regional Dental Center is providing dental information at every screening and sends a dentist to any KidCheck screening within 40 miles of one of their six regional offices.

KidCheck is open to any interested school system in the state. For more information on how to start KidCheck in your school system, please visit www.alabamaruralaction.com or contact Chad Nichols, State KidCheck Director, at chad.nichols@adeca.alabama.gov.

Note: Attached is a document with more information on KidCheck’s results and a list of participating school systems and nursing schools. Click here to view the attachment.