Prevention Initiative Grant Awarded to Effingham County Health Department

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Published on June 19 2018 11:27 am
Last Updated on June 19 2018 11:27 am
Written by Greg Sapp

The Effingham County Health Department received notice from the Illinois State Board of Education of its funding award for a new Prevention Initiative (PI) Program that will serve 140 children and 120 families in Effingham County year-round. PI is a home visiting program that serves children birth to age 3 and pregnant mothers. It uses the Parents as Teachers Curriculum (PAT) which empowers and educates parents in best practices for being their child’s main teacher. This program will work closely with the following schools in Effingham County: Effingham, Altamont, Teutopolis, Dietrich, Beecher City, Sacred Heart, and St. Anthony.

The Prevention Initiative Program is committed to delivering exceptional services to prenatal women and at-risk children birth to age three years old in Effingham County ensuring all babies and toddlers have a strong and healthy start at life. The program values the family’s primary relationship with their child and works to enhance the child’s development. PI supports the family’s knowledge, skills, and abilities as they interact with and raise their child.

“Good health starts at the very beginning of life,” explains Jeff Workman, Effingham County Health Department Administrator. “It’s our environment; it’s what we eat; it’s what we do; it’s what we learn. PI provides tools and teaching to help parents provide their children with the healthy start they need.” More information about the PI program will be provided soon.

The PI Program will begin recruiting families in August and is currently looking for passionate detailed orientated PI staff. Interested persons should visit the Effingham County Health Department website for more details at www.effcohealth.org.