Whitefoord Community Program

Veda Johnson, MDAssistant Professor of Pediatrics

Emory University School of Medicine

Whitefoord Community Program

Community-based, community-driven organization that strives to empower residents of the Edgewood community to take charge of themselves, their children, and their community.

Mission: …‘working together with families and the community to ensure that every child has what he or she needs to succeed in school’.

Established in 1994 by the late Dr. George Brumley and Dr. Veda Johnson

Demographics Located in the Edgewood

community of Southeast Atlanta

High poverty, crime and substance abuse

Large #’s hard-working families

School average enrollment for Whitefoord and Coan is approx. 500 and 550 students respectively

98% Free or Reduced lunch

75% Medicaid and 10% Peach Care eligible

Community Needs Increased Access to quality medical care

Chronic Health Problems Asthma Diabetes Obesity

Youth violence Teen Pregnancy Substance Abuse Mental Health Disorders

Community Needs… Early Childhood Education

Afterschool Programs

Adult Literacy and GED instruction

Family Support Services Social Services Parenting Adult Counseling

Planning and Implementation Community identified and prioritized its’ needs

Collaborated with schools, parents, community leaders, community agencies, and potential funders to develop program(s) to address needs

Established advisory committees within schools and community to monitor and evaluate effectiveness of programs

Recruited community members onto Board of Directors to participate in governance of organization

Whitefoord Community Program Created to address the

needs of families as defined by the community

Located across the street from the elementary school in 5 converted houses and modulars

Components: Child Development

Program Family Learning &

Community Development Center

School Clinics

Child Development Program Quality early childhood education for 74 children from 6

weeks to 4 years of age

Combines the resources of the state of Georgia’s Pre-Kindergarten program and the philosophy behind the Early Head Start and Head Start programs.

Culturally appropriate parenting sessions

Currently undergoing NAEYC accreditation

Family Learning & Community Development

Center Offers adult literacy, voluntary GED instruction, life skills

and other community educational activities

After school and summer programs for students at Whitefoord Elementary and Coan Middle School

Intel Computer Club House Whitefoord elementary after school program Coan Bike Rite program Summer Reading Program

Whitefoord Elementary and Sammye E. Coan School

Clinics Pediatric and adolescent

primary care health clinics providing comprehensive health services for students and their pre-school and/or adolescent siblings

Initiated by the Dept of Pediatrics at Emory University Nov. 1994

Removed the health care of children out of the institution and placed it into the community

Clinics…. Goal : Increasing access to

quality health care and improving the academic achievement of students

Address the physical, mental and emotional health of the child

‘Care for the child in the context of family, home and community’

Developed the Whitefoord Community Program, a community-based support program for families of children enrolled in the clinic

Clinic Services Management of acute

illnesses and injuries

Management of chronic illnesses (diabetes, HIV+, asthma, obesity)

Routine and sports physicals

Immunizations

Dental care

Services cont’d Mental Health

Assessments and Counseling

Psycho-educational Testing

Social services

Referral to Sub-specialist

24 hr. coverage

Staffing Pediatricians/Medical

Director Mid-level Providers

(NP/PA) RN/Clinic Manager Medical Asst Dentist and Dental Asst Social Worker/Mental

Health Providers Health Educator Clerical Staff

Accomplishments Increased access to medical and dental health care

Provided medical care to over 4500 students since 1995 Medical home to over 1200 children High clinic enrollment (95%) and utilization

Increased immunization rates for 2 year olds

Increased parental involvement

Reduced cost to the state’s Medicaid program

Accomplishments… Improved school attendance/?performance

Every child in school receives health education instruction on drug and substance abuse, violence prevention, safety, general health, and nutrition

Improved health outcomes for children with chronic illnesses (e.g. asthma, diabetes) Increased symptom free days for asthmatics Stable glucose levels

Success stories….”We measure success one child at a time”…

Diagnosed early staged brain tumor in 3rd grader who is expected to have a full recovery

Early detection of a genitourinary deformity in a 9 year old which was successfully corrected

Reduced emergency room use and hospitalization of students with asthma

Success Stories…

Through on-site counseling and support, facilitated the recovery of many emotionally troubled children “A man’s spirit will sustain his infirmities,

but a wounded spirit who can bear it?”

Witnessed several challenged families assume proper responsibility for their children

Whitefoord and Coan Childhood Healthy Lifestyle Program

Observed increased prevalence of obesity in school clinics

School-wide assessment of problem revealed: The percentage of overweight students (BMI [Body Mass Index]

>95%) at Whitefoord and Coan - approximately 17 % and 24.9% respectively

The percentage of at-risk students (BMI 85-95%) - 19.5% and 24% respectively

The purpose of project: To establish a school-wide health promotion/obesity prevention

program and a weight loss/fitness program for overweight students enrolled in the Whitefoord and Coan Clinics.

Implementation

Obesity prevention and health promotion

Identified curricula for school wide obesity prevention and fitness promotion

Take 10 – elementary school Planet Health – middle school

Weight Reduction Recruit at-risk students into weight reduction program Obtained baseline BMI’s, health and nutritional status, labs

( lipids, glucose and insulin) Conduct twice weekly exercise classes and twice monthly

nutritional classes

Results

Implemented Take 10 in the elementary school and will implement Planet Health in middle school next month.

Enrolled 52 Students into weight reduction program 95% with BMI’s > 95% ile. 61% with fasting elevated fasting lipids 43% demonstrating some degree of insulin resistance

Conducted first of 3 families dinners to enhance family involvement

22 families attended with a total of 60 participants

Barriers Parental Involvement

20% of middle school parents attended parent meeting 70% of elementary school parents attended

Recruitment of students into weight reduction program Fear of ridicule by other students

Motivation for students to attend sessions on regular basis and to comply with program

Teachers buy-in to conduct Take 10 Additional responsibilities interfere with teachers’ loaded schedule

Difficulty in conducting school wide sessions in middle school

Class schedules do not include health education on all grade levels.