Children’s Health Month: Setting the Foundation for Healthy Futures
Recognizing Children’s Health Month with practical tips, preventative care, and Weld County resources.
As we move through the month of October it is important to discuss and raise awareness about the importance of cultivating good health in our children and youth.
The evolution of Children’s Health Month started in 1960 when President Eisenhower issued a proclamation designating October 3, 1960, as Child Health Day. Then in 1992 the American Academy of Pediatrics designated the month of October as Child Health Month with the intention of increasing awareness in the value in implementing preventative health care for children and youth to improve both short term and long-term health outcomes.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics preventative health care for children entails regular well-child visits, engaging in regular dental checkups, staying current on recommended immunizations, utilizing developmental monitoring and screening tools to assess how a child is learning, communicating, moving, and interacting with others. It also entails pursuing health screens as recommended by the child’s primary care physician and following health and safety guidance based on a child’s age.
Implementing overall wellness strategies can also contribute to a child’s overall good health in addition to building positive habits, consistent and safe environments, and dependable relationships. Ensuring access to daily enjoyable physical activities, keeping well hydrated and providing nutritious meals, and prioritizing sleep and rest routines are all important and beneficial to children and youth. As is fostering a child’s emotional wellness, their creativity, and building a strong sense of belonging and positive relationships. An additional element that can help with improving wellbeing in children and youth is also ensuring a balance in a child’s level of screen time and/or access to digital devices.
While there is a heavy emphasis on Children’s health during the month of October, it is important to maintain that level of emphasis on Children’s health throughout the year as well.
Here are some local resources that can be utilized by parents and caregivers within the community:
|
Resource |
What it offers |
How to connect |
| Sunrise Community Health- Monfort Children’s Clinic | Pediatric care, including preventive visits and support for children’s physical and mental health. | 100 N. 11th Avenue, Greeley · 970-352-8898 · Clinic information. (Pediatricians Near You in …) |
| Sunrise school-based health clinics | Well-child exams, vaccinations, and other care. Centennial also lists dental exams, cleanings, sealants, and fluoride treatments. District 6 students and their siblings, birth–19, can access these clinics. | Centennial: 1400 37th Street, Evans · 970-348-1112. Bond: 111 E. 26th Street, Greeley · 970-702-2675. District 6 clinic information. (Centennial Elementary) |
| Weld County Health Department- Immunizations | Routine childhood immunizations, including the Vaccines for Children program for eligible children ages 0–18. | Immunization services and appointment information. (weld.gov) |
| Sunrise Family Dental | A local option for establishing regular dental care and discussing preventive services. | 1006 A Street, Greeley · 970-352-0048 · Dental clinic information. (sunrisecommunityhealth.org) |
| WIC through Sunrise | Nutrition education, healthy food benefits, and breastfeeding support for eligible pregnant/postpartum people, infants, and children under 5. Foster parents and other caregivers may apply for eligible children. | WIC information. (sunrisecommunityhealth.org) |
| Envision- Early Intervention | Evaluation and coordination of early intervention services for children under 3 with qualifying developmental delays. | Early Intervention information. (envisionco.org) |
| School district Child Find | Free developmental evaluation for preschool children with suspected delays or disabilities. Contact the district where the child lives. | United Way’s child development resource page links to Weld County contacts. (unitedway-weld.org) |
| North Range Behavioral Health- Early Childhood Services | Prevention and early support for emotional and behavioral concerns, including consultation for families and childcare providers serving children ages 0–6. | 970-347-2120; ask for Early Childhood Services · Program information. (northrange.org) |
| North Colorado Health Alliance- My Health Connections | Help navigating health insurance options and enrollment so families can access ongoing care. | 970-350-4673 · Enrollment assistance. (North Colorado Health Alliance) |
Respectfully submitted by Brianna Fischer, CASA Program Manager