THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, May 26, 1996 TAG: 9605250139
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 24 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ELIZABETH THIEL, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 53 lines
It was so successful last year, it's happening again.
The second-annual Care Fair will be held Saturday, June 8, at Indian River Middle School.
During the event, parents can get their kids free immunizations, dental screenings and physicals. They can sign up for or get information about services such as financial counseling, child support enforcement or federal welfare programs. They can get a head start on requirements that their kids have shots and checkups before starting school in the fall.
The fair is sponsored by the school system, Chesapeake General Hospital and the city's departments of Social Services, Health and Parks and Recreation.
``The whole concept is one-stop shopping for health and human services,'' said Beth A. Reitz, director of community health services for the hospital and a co-chair of the fair's planning committee.
Everything offered at the fair is free and open to the public, although parents may have to show proof of income to take advantage of some of the services, Reitz said.
Officials from the hospital and city agencies figure they can reach more parents and children if they unite for a day.
``In the past, all of us have tried to just do our own thing,'' Reitz said. ``And as funds are shrinking, and so are our staffs, you can't do it all on your own.''
Volunteers from the community, including medical workers, will run the event.
Free child care will be provided in the middle school's cafeteria. Clowns, puppet shows and musicians will provide entertainment for the children.
A few things will be different from last year's fair.
The date, for example, is earlier. Last year, the event was held in August. The planning committee decided to have it in June, while school is still in session, so they could send fliers home with the students.
Also, transportation will not be provided this year. Very few people used shuttle buses provided last year, Reitz said.
The hours also will be shortened. Last year, the fair stretched into the early evening. But most people came in the morning or during the middle part of the day. So this year, the event will start at 9 a.m. and end at 3 p.m.
Reitz said she and school officials are urging parents to ``go ahead and take advantage of this. Make sure your children's immunizations are up to date so that they can start school on time.'' MEMO: The second-annual Care Fair will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on
Saturday, June 8 at Indian River High School, 2300 Greenbrier Road. The
event is free and open to the public, although parents may have to show
proof of income to get some services. Fair organizers are asking all
parents to bring their children's immunization records, proof of income
(such as a pay stub or a federal income tax return) and proof of
Chesapeake residency (such as a driver's license or a utility bill). by CNB