JULY 2007
(Vol. 3, Issue 3) 

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ARTICLE QUICK LINKS

- Alliance Board
  Directed Fund
  Awardees 
- BadgerCare
  Back-to-School
  Campaign
-  Deal or Danger 
- Lead Poisoning
  Factors
- Online Oral
  Health Resource
- Take Action for
  Asthma Awardees

The Alliance would like to thank David Berry, representing American Family Children's Hospital (Madison), for serving as chair of our Advisory Board for the past two years. His enthusiasm and leadership will be missed. We wish him well as he takes on his new position this fall as senior vice president and chief operating officer for Arkansas Children's Hospital.

The Board Directed Fund consists of donations from Children’s Health Alliance of Wisconsin Advisory Board members. The fund supports events, organizations and programs that benefit children’s health in Wisconsin and contribute to the Alliance’s mission. Nominations are submitted and selected by Advisory Board members yearly.

The Alliance is pleased to announce this year’s Board Directed Fund awardees, the Wisconsin Oregon School District’s 10th grade health curriculum to include Baby Think It Over™ infant simulators and Horizon High School.

The Baby Think It Over™ infant simulator is a computerized doll that mimics sounds and behaviors of a real infant. The Oregon School District’s curriculum requires that all 10th grade boys and girls care for a baby for a weekend. The students provide 24-hour care including feeding, diapering, burping and rocking. Each simulator has a computerized chip allowing the teacher to determine if the baby was cared for properly. Baby Think It Over™ is a great opportunity for teens to gain a realistic perspective on the full-time commitment required for parenting an infant.

Horizon High School in Madison serves adolescents who are in recovery from alcohol and/or drug abuse or are in need of an emotionally supportive high school environment. Horizon, a non-profit high school, accepts students from anywhere in Wisconsin. The tuition is $6,000 a semester. A third of students are on financial aid. These vulnerable adolescents need a safe environment to succeed and lead drug-free lives, pursue post-secondary education or job training, and contribute to society.

The start of a new school year is a busy time for children and families. It is important for parents to keep exploring options for free or low-cost health care as they begin back-to-school preparation.

“Health insurance can give students the healthy start they need to begin the school year,” said Michael Jacob, program coordinator for Covering Kids and Families – Wisconsin (CKF-WI). “Families in Wisconsin who are uninsured, underinsured or spending huge amounts of their income on health insurance should explore BadgerCare.”

BadgerCare, a comprehensive health care program, is available at little or no cost to families earning up to 185 percent of the federal poverty line. For example, a family of three earning nearly $31,800 can qualify. The income limit for a family of four is just more than $38,000.

An estimated 95,000 children in Wisconsin were without insurance for at least part of the year in 2005, with half likely eligible for BadgerCare.

CKF-WI is gearing up for its annual Back-to-School Campaign and wants your help. Outreach materials about BadgerCare are available at no cost to organizations working with families. Learn more.

A toaster for $2. A set of encyclopedias for $10. The bargains we find at local garage sales and resale shops can be too good to believe … and, sometimes they are. Without knowing it, many people purchase or sell dangerous and recalled items at resale shops or garage sales. 

A recent survey conducted by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission showed nearly 70 percent of all resale shops visited had at least one dangerous or recalled product for sale. The next time you go bargain hunting, be sure to watch for recalled items or items that do not meet current safety standards. Be especially aware of these potential dangers:

• Cribs. Older cribs can entrap, strangle or even suffocate children. Cribs with more than 2 3⁄8” between crib slats or cut-outs on the headboard or footboard may suffocate or strangle a child. Cribs with missing or broken parts or corner posts higher than 1⁄16” also present a risk of death.
• Car seats. Car seats can be dangerous when the seats’ crash history is unknown. It also can be difficult to determine if all parts are present and in good working condition. It is recommended that seats not be used any longer than six years from the date of manufacture.
• Clothing. Drawstrings around the neck on children’s jackets and sweatshirts can catch and strangle children. Drawstrings should be pulled out or cut on children’s jackets and sweatshirts.
• Toys. Toys need to be inspected for loose or missing pieces that could be dangerous, especially for a young child.

Before hosting your next garage sale or heading out for a little bargain hunting, be sure to visit the recall Web site designed to help you become an educated consumer.

The Wisconsin Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program has identified the top four key factors that put children at a greater risk for lead poisoning. Click on the following links to view graphs that further explain these risk factors:

• Age of child indicating that lead poisoning is most prevalent among 2-year-old children.
• Age of housing indicating that homes built before 1950 present a high risk for lead exposure.
• Socioeconomic status indicating that lead poisoning is more prevalent among children who are enrolled in Medicaid or the Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) than among those who are not enrolled in either program.
• Racial and ethnic disparities indicating that lead poisoning is most prevalent among African-American children.

For more information, and to get involved, please contact George Carns at (414) 390-2180. Explore the Lead-Safe Wisconsin Web site to learn how you can help reduce the risk of childhood lead poisoning in your home and community.

The National Maternal and Child Oral Health Resource Center is pleased to announce the availability of Seal America: The Prevention Invention (2nd Edition), an online manual designed to assist health professionals in initiating and implementing a school-based dental sealant program to prevent tooth decay in children.

The online manual provides practical guidance for individuals hoping to start a school-based dental sealant program. In addition to covering program sustainability, the manual also addresses how to refer students with unmet oral health needs to a dentist. Individuals working in established school-based dental sealant programs also may find the manual helpful for program improvement. A streaming video segment, Seal in a Smile, and frequently asked questions are included. View the manual.