Madison Co. nonprofit provides health care for students in need

Emileigh Forrester
·3 min read
1

MADISON COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT) — Health Establishments at Local Schools (HEALS), Inc. is a nonprofit that provides school-based health, dental and optometry care to children ages birth to 19 that are living in poverty in Huntsville and Madison County.

The clinics are staffed by professional doctors, dentists, nurse practitioners and dental hygienists among other staff members. HEALS staff say as a resource for economically disadvantaged children, the nonprofit is aiming to provide a “real solution” to the health care crisis.

“Don’t lose hope”: Hikers ‘stomp out cancer’ at Blevins Gap Nature Preserve

As of Monday, HEALS had provided 2,005 medical patient visits, 1,309 dental patient visits and 223 optometry patient visits since its inception.

According to HEALS, early intervention and health education lead to lower lifetime medical costs.

Risha Sanderson, HEALS, Inc. director of development and marketing, said they believe healthy children learn better at school and have lower delinquency rates, making them more likely to succeed in school and life.

“It’s not just important for the kids to keep them healthy and in class,” Sanderson said. “It’s vital to the parents, whether their barriers are transportation, language, even just financial means, we try to eliminate those barriers so these kids stay healthy, happy and in school.”

HEALS staff say that children who have a “medical home” don’t go to the Emergency Room (ER) for routine care, meaning fewer tax dollars are required to subsidize ER visits.

Monrovia Volunteer Fire and Rescue gets first ladder truck

HEALS is continuing to use its Frank & Colleen Williams Mobile Medical & Dental Clinic. The mobile clinic is an RV outfitted to provide medical and dental services.

According to staff, the mobile clinic has allowed them to expand their school-based services to eight more schools, including the Madison City School System.

“We are able to not just be school-based. We get to meet our community where they’re at, whether that’s going to eight new schools, going to actual housing developments,” Sanderson said. “We find that that’s one less barrier. We get to meet people directly where they’re at. They know we exist, they know we’re there, we see them, we hear them.”

Staff say the clinic removes the barrier of transportation for children needing access to health care.

The mobile clinic offers several services, including:

  • Well-child physicals

  • Immunizations

  • Acute Visits

  • Dental Screening

  • Cleanings

  • Sealants

HEALS runs in part based on fundraising and donations from the community.

One way people can donate is through “Friends of HEALS,” a monthly giving program. There are three different levels of donating:

  • $12/month to provide medical care for one child for one year.

  • $25/month to provide both dental and vision care for one child for one year.

  • $65/month to provide medical, dental and vision care for two children for one year.

If a group or organization wants to get involved, HEALS can benefit from supply drives for hygiene items like toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, deodorant and new tennis shoes.

For more information on HEALS, Inc, call (256) 428 -7560, email healsinc@healsinc.org or click here.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com.