It may be summer, but parents are already gearing up for the start of the school year. Early Education and Care is providing some much needed resources for the whole family with the Head Start's Health Ready Fest.
This seven hour annual event allows families to visit with over 50 agencies and organizations under one roof . It prepares them for the start of the school year.
"The nice thing is it's kind of a one-stop shop for all the information that available for health and nutrition, so you can just go table by table for all the services," says Early Education and Care's Executive Director Pam Fleege.
Free health services included immunizations, physicals for both children and adults, massages, as well as the Health Department's Mobile Dental Unit. Other booths provided information such as how to apply for WIC or different types of housing, or even how to quit smoking.
While most of the event is for the kids, parents say there's a lot of resources for adults too. "I think it's the perfect opportunity for people in the community to come not only for children but for adults...and learn about the community and what early education and care has to offer," says Charisse Henry-Tidd, a mother of four.
Besides healthcare services, the event also offered up nutrition tips for healthy eating. Dieticians say the kids' plates should be half fruits and vegetables, and one fourth protein and grains.
"Believe it or not, parents feed their children better than they feed themselves. They're usually making sure their children are eating their fruits and vegetables, but parents need to practice and demonstrate what they're trying to teach their children," says Nutritionist Marjorie Moore.
The Health Ready Fest lasted from 9 am until 4 PM at the Springfield Community
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