|
February 4, 2021
Public Health has Limited Capacity to Conduct Hearing and Vision Screenings
The state has granted flexibility with the timing of required screenings
With the 2021/2022 school year fast approaching, the Ottawa County Hearing and Vision program staff are working to envision a plan for conducting screenings when possible. The hearing and vision screenings remain an important part of ensuring children’s optimal learning capabilities. Screenings are also a part of the Revised School Code of 1976 and the Public Health Code of 1978, though the year 2020 brought many challenges to the screening process.
Public Health Code
With our technicians actively working in the Public Health Department COVID-19 response since Spring of 2020 and the vaccine efforts require an ‘all hands on deck’ response, we are limited in our capacity to screen based on staffing alone. Keeping the students and staff safety as a priority, we have been informed there is some leeway from the state for the children’s usual screening time frame. However, we hope to provide some screenings possibly starting this Spring and increasing through clinics this Summer.
Please stay tuned and know we will reach out to schools when possible to set up screenings and announce plans for clinics that will need to focus on incoming kindergartners for the upcoming school year. We hope to resume regular screenings in the school setting as soon as possible as we realize there were many children since last Spring that missed a regular screening from our department.
As a reminder to all educators and parents, a child’s ability to see and hear affects their optimal learning abilities. If there are concerns, please take the time to follow-up with a primary care provider, an ENT or an eye care specialist for testing and recommendations. Additionally, if paying for such a visit is a concern please contact the Hearing and Vision Coordinator, Leslie Ver Duin, at the Ottawa County Department of Public Health. Options through Children’s Special Health Care Services or other community partners may be possible.
Thank you for your partnership -
Leslie Ver Duin, BSN, RN
Child Health Team Supervisor
Hearing & Vision Programs
Children’s Special Health Care Services
Elevated Blood Lead Program
616-393-4444
Lverduin@miottawa.org
Media contact:
Kristina Wieghmink
Public Information Officer
616-510-8523, kwieghmink@miottawa.org
|
