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Child at Risk Response Team (CARRT)
CARRT is multi-disciplinary program formed to minimize the trauma in the interviewing and examination of sexually abused children. Through the program, the child and non-offending family members receive crisis intervention and mental health services. The program also exists to educate the community, provide specialized training to participants and to optimally collect evidence that can be used against the perpetrator while being as sensitive to the child as possible. Participants in the program include Bassett Healthcare of Schoharie County, Child Protection Services, multiple local and state law enforcement agencies, county school districts and preschools, rape crisis, county mental health and health departments, the district attorney's office and Catholic Charities.
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Coats for Kids
Bassett Healthcare participates in Coats for Kids, a community project that collects new and "gently used" winter coats and redistributes them to needy children throughout the community. Coats are generally collected during the month of October but may vary from year to year. The coats are cleaned courtesy of Metro Cleaners and then delivered to local service agencies for distribution.
For more information, contact Bassett Healthcare's public relations department at 1-800-BASSETT (1-800-227-7388).
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Fitness by Age Five
The Bassett Research Institute has teamed up with educational, medical and business leaders in the Cobleskill community to participate in the Rural Community Partnership to Promote Fitness by Age Five. Together, they will work to promote healthy eating habits in young children along with increased physical activity and reduce television viewing. The partnership will work with parents and other caregivers to positively impact children before they start kindergarten. Early intervention is aimed at preventing weight issues and the associated health conditions rather than trying to treat them later in life. Strategies include training sessions for parents and child care staff; introduction of a physical activity program for daycare, preschool and Head Start staff; collaboration with local restaurants in developing healthier meals for kids; and partnering with Price Chopper grocery stores and the SUNY-Cobleskill Culinary Institute to develop healthy snacks and recipes using fresh fruits and vegetables.
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Leatherstocking Promise
Bassett Healthcare is a contributing member of Leatherstocking Promise, a group dedicated to identifying and preventing social problems in Otsego County's youth. The group seeks to reduce risk factors associated with negative social outcomes such as drug use, firearms, crime, unfavorable parental attitudes, lack of parental involvement, and academic failure. Programming is aimed at keeping five promises including establishment of ongoing relationships with caring adults, providing a safe place with structured activities during non-school hours, providing a healthy start for children, helping youth establish marketable skills for their future and giving young people an opportunity to give back through community service.
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Children with Special Needs (Medical Home Program)
Bassett's Medical Home Program is designed to be a resource for children with special medical needs and their families. Through the program parents and health care providers work as partners to provide better care. Coordinated care, resource materials, parent advocacy groups, enhanced communication and a better understanding of the families' and the patients' needs help improve overall health care. For more information, call Cindy Fulington, RN at 607-547-3246.
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Pediatric Travel Clinic
For children who will be traveling abroad, Bassett Healthcare offers a Pediatric Travel Clinic to prepare for health risks they may encounter. Consultations are available to review the child's immunization status, discuss diet and safety issues, evaluate overall physical health, provide immunizations and prescribe any necessary medications for prevention of infectious diseases. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call Monica Stringer at 607-547-7980. It is recommended that appointments be made well in advance of the anticipated departure date.
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Reach Out and Read
Study after study links early literacy to success throughout a child's education. Bassett Healthcare Pediatrician Lisa Mooney, M.D. is well aware that a solid foundation in reading is important. And in 1999 she brought an early literacy program called Reach Out and Read to her young patients. Through the program, children are given books at their regular well checkups from the age of six months to five years of age.
Early Readers
The premise is that children exposed to books even before they can read will be better readers on. Dr. Mooney notes "kids who are successful in reading tend to stay in school longer and are more successful while in school. It's a positive upward cycle in the child's development."
Each child in the program receives a brand new, developmentally-appropriate book at every well visit until the age of five - that's a total of nine books before the child starts kindergarten. The staff often notices that children immediately run to the reading corner while their parents check in. They also pleased to find parents and children reading together in exam rooms while they wait to be seen.
Developing a Taste for Reading
Most people think reading skills start in kindergarten or first grade after a child learns the ABCs. But the foundation for reading starts much earlier. Even babies love books. "They might even eat the books," says Dr. Mooney, but that's a baby's way of interacting with a book, which is fine. We give them the thick cardboard ones with pictures of other babies and their faces just light up." This head start sometimes sparks an interest in reading for both children and parents.
An important component of the literacy program is volunteers. Parents, students and other volunteers sign up to read to children in the waiting room. Not only does this entertain the children, but also it models to parents how to read to kids and have fun doing it. Parents don't have to read books word for word or be fantastic readers to make a difference. It's a structured, productive activity to do with children other than watching hours of television. More importantly, it's the number one thing parents can do to promote literacy development.
Donations of funds or new or used books for clinic waiting areas are always appreciated. For more information on the program or to make a donation, call Martha Messner, LPN at 607-433-1792 (Oneonta) or 1-800-BASSETT (1-800-227-7388) (Cooperstown).
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