Identifying children’s developmental issues before they start school is critical to their life trajectory, and children’s charity Royal Far West’s award-winning Healthy Kids Bus Stop screening program for children aged 3-5 has been developed to help identify children who would benefit from some form of early intervention.
Royal Far West, in partnership with the Walgett Aboriginal Medical Service (WAMS), Brewarrina Aboriginal Health Service Limited (BAHSL) and Ronald McDonald House Charities, will be delivering free child health checks in Brewarrina (13 August) and Walgett (14-15 August), alongside the WAMS Healthy for Life checks.
In May this year Royal Far West’s major fundraiser Ride for Country Kids visited Walgett and Brewarrina, and the charity is looking forward to once again bringing the Healthy Kids Bus Stop to these communities.
It will be the first time the Bus Stop will be in Brewarrina since 2014, and will be hosted by the Gainmara-Birrilee Preschool. Walgett Community College Primary School is hosting the Bus Stop’s fourth visit to Walgett.
Other key partners include local pre-schools, schools, councils and community service organisations. The program is designed as a collaborative exercise to benefit young children within the community at no cost to their parents/carers.
Assessments include a child health check; hearing screening; dental check; fine and gross motor skill development screening; language and speech development check; and a food nutrition check, all at the one location in either a morning or afternoon appointment.
Children requiring further assessment will be referred to appropriate local services, and those with complex needs may also be referred to Royal Far West’s Paediatric Developmental Program.
Katrina Ward, Manager, BAHSL, is pleased to be able to support this important screening activity.
Brewarrina Mayor Phillip O’Connor says, “I’m thrilled that Royal Far West is once again bringing this important and innovative program to Brewarrina. As well as being a fun and interactive experience, these health assessments help to identify and support our local children with health and developmental needs that might otherwise go unnoticed.”
Register for the Bus Stop at http://www.royalfarwest.org.au/healthy-kids-bus-stop, or call Jennifer Goonan on 02 8966 8557 for more information.
To help support children in rural and remote areas of Australia, please call 1800 500 061 or go to the website www.royalfarwest.org.au
