Each month “Grandparents Raising Grandchildren” meets to learn about programs and services offered by the school district and community partners that will assist them with the raising of their grandchildren.
The meeting series, led by the Knox County Family Resource and Youth Service Centers, continues to grow as grandparents learn about the mission of the meetings.
The latest gathering, held February 1, included two guest speakers from the Knox County Health Department. Topics included legal guardianship of grandchildren and the EPSDT – Early Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment program offered by the agency.
EPSDT is a preventive health examination that provides for a child’s general health to be checked. This includes an examination of the child’s eyes, ears, and teeth. The doctor or nurse will also check to see if the child is growing normally.
Children are given shots if needed. Shots help prevent against measles, mumps, polio, and other serious illness. Children will also be checked for major diseases including heart and kidney problems, tuberculosis, eye, ear, nose, and throat problems, and lead poisoning.
Regular examinations are the best way that grandparents, and all families, can help make sure that their child is healthy.
To qualify for EPSDT the child must have a Medicaid card. Legal guardians may contact the Knox County Health Department to schedule an appointment at (606)546-3486 and ask for the EPSDT exam.
Questions about the grandparents support group/meeting series may be answered by contacting the Family Resource/Youth Service Center serving your school and community. Each school has a FRYSC coordinator that is eager to connect you to school and community resources that will help student academic and physical growth and well-being.
Photos from the February 1, 2017 meeting: