The
Fulton County Board of Commissioners has renewed a Memorandum of Understanding
between the Fulton County Department of Health and Wellness and the Fulton County
School System to enable the health department to provide routine health
services to homeless Fulton County students. Central to the agreement,
Fulton’s Health Department will offer vision, hearing and dental exams,
nutritional services and immunizations to homeless students. The health
department will also provide the necessary documentation of these services
required for enrollment in Fulton County Schools. The renewal of this
partnership will allow the health department to provide these vital services to
the homeless student population estimated by Fulton County School officials to
be more than 1,500 children and youth during fiscal years 2013--2016.
These services are aligned with the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11431 et seq.) that requires that homeless children and youth have equal access to the same free public education provided to other children and youth. The McKinney-Vento program was enacted by the U.S. Congress in 1987 and is administered through the U.S. Department of Education.
“Access to key health services and immunizations is essential for every student,” states Fulton County Board of Commissioners Chairman John Eaves. “Fulton County is committed to ensure that youth who are homeless do not slip through the cracks. We are proud to have partnered with the school system for nearly a decade to make a difference in the lives of these special students.”
Echoing Chairman Eaves’ sentiment, Fulton County District Health Director Kathleen Toomey, M.D., M.P.H. adds,“ Access to education is also a key social determinant that impacts public health.”
Sara Blake Smith, LCSW, who serves as the homeless student liaison for Fulton County Schools says,“We view this long standing cooperative agreement as a great community service.”
The Fulton County Schools Homeless Student Liaison will identify the students in need of these services and refer the students to the Fulton County Health Department. The health department then provides the services. Parents, teachers and school counselors seeking information on health services for homeless students in Fulton County can contact the Fulton County School Homeless Student Liaison by calling 470-254-0470. For more information on immunizations and other health screenings required for students to enroll in Fulton Schools, please contact the Fulton County Department of Health and Wellness at 404-612-1211 or visit www.fultoncountyga.gov/dhw-home. Hours of operation at Fulton County’s 14 Health Centers are 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
These services are aligned with the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11431 et seq.) that requires that homeless children and youth have equal access to the same free public education provided to other children and youth. The McKinney-Vento program was enacted by the U.S. Congress in 1987 and is administered through the U.S. Department of Education.
“Access to key health services and immunizations is essential for every student,” states Fulton County Board of Commissioners Chairman John Eaves. “Fulton County is committed to ensure that youth who are homeless do not slip through the cracks. We are proud to have partnered with the school system for nearly a decade to make a difference in the lives of these special students.”
Echoing Chairman Eaves’ sentiment, Fulton County District Health Director Kathleen Toomey, M.D., M.P.H. adds,“ Access to education is also a key social determinant that impacts public health.”
Sara Blake Smith, LCSW, who serves as the homeless student liaison for Fulton County Schools says,“We view this long standing cooperative agreement as a great community service.”
The Fulton County Schools Homeless Student Liaison will identify the students in need of these services and refer the students to the Fulton County Health Department. The health department then provides the services. Parents, teachers and school counselors seeking information on health services for homeless students in Fulton County can contact the Fulton County School Homeless Student Liaison by calling 470-254-0470. For more information on immunizations and other health screenings required for students to enroll in Fulton Schools, please contact the Fulton County Department of Health and Wellness at 404-612-1211 or visit www.fultoncountyga.gov/dhw-home. Hours of operation at Fulton County’s 14 Health Centers are 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
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