11 Aug 2003
About 30,000 DISD Students Need Required Immunizations
DALLAS— The Dallas Independent School District will offer free immunizations for all DISD students and provide assistance to families interested in applying for low cost or no cost health coverage Saturday, Aug. 23, from noon to 4 p.m., at all of the district's comprehensive high schools.
According to student records, about 30,000 DISD students will need required immunizations by the opening of the school year. "That's not a number we are happy about," said Rosemarie Allen, associate superintendent-Student Support and Special Services. "Healthy kids are better students. Students need to be in school every day@we don't want kids missing school due to preventable childhood illnesses."
Healthy Kids, Better Students is a collaboration of the DISD Office of Student Support and Special Services and a variety of health care groups including Childrens Medical Center of Dallas and Parkland Health & Hospital System's Community Oriented Primary Care. North Texas Hospital for Children, the Dallas Concilio and the Hispanic Women's Network also have provided volunteers for the clinics.
Regular checkups at a pediatrician's office or local health clinic are an important way to keep children healthy, but at times it can be difficult for parents to pay all of their medical expenses themselves. Tens of thousands of DISD students are without insurance. DISD families that participate in the Healthy Kids, Better Students clinics will have the opportunity to apply for low cost or no cost health care coverage, through Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program. Eligible families may pay as little as $25 per month to cover all of their children up to the age 18. Other federally-funded health care programs are available for qualifying immigrant families.
"Children who have the means and access to affordable health care are at an advantage in the classroom," said Guwan Jones, TexCare Outreach program coordinator. "We are making the resources available to educate parents and help them keep their families healthy."
Families should come prepared with shot records for each student to receive the free immunizations. To apply for health care coverage, parents or guardians should bring the following:
Recent paycheck stub or a letter from the employer or the latest income tax return
Receipts for child care and for child support paid or received Picture ID
Utility bill or rent or mortgage receipt
Birth certificate for all dependents
All locations will have information available in Spanish. School supplies will be available on a first come, first served basis. Students are invited to come to the high school closest to their home.
Bryan Adams 2101 Millmar Dr.
W. H. Adamson 201 E. Ninth St.
David W. Carter 1819 W. Wheatland Rd.
Hillcrest 9924 Hillcrest Rd.
Thomas Jefferson 4001 Walnut Hill Ln.
Justin F. Kimball 3606 S. Westmoreland Rd.
Lincoln 2826 Hatcher St.
James Madison 3000 Martin L. King Blvd.
Moises E. Molina 2355 Duncanville Rd.
North Dallas 3120 N. Haskell Ave.
L. G. Pinkston 2200 Dennison St.
F. D. Roosevelt 525 Bonnie View Rd.
W. W. Samuell 8928 Palisade Dr.Seagoville 15920 Seagoville Rd.
Skyline 7777 Forney Rd.
A. Maceo Smith 3030 Stag Rd.
South Oak Cliff 3601 S. Marsalis Ave.
H. Grady Spruce 9733 Old Seagoville Rd.
Sunset 2120 W. Jefferson Blvd.
W. T. White 4505 Ridgeside Dr.
Woodrow Wilson 100 S. Glasgow Dr.
For further information, ask the nurse at the local school or call 972 925-3975.