Governor Manchin's Promise to Put West Virginia Kids First
New Kindergarten Initiative Underway for Wellness Screening

Charleston, W.Va. - Beginning the 2008-09 school year, children in the state entering kindergarten will receive a comprehensive wellness screen as part of the West Virginia Kids First program developed by Governor Joe Manchin III.

According to America's Promise Alliance, children need "five promises" to succeed in life. Since his inaugural speech in 2005, Governor Manchin asked that the state unite in committing itself to keeping the five promises for West Virginia children. The five promises entail recommended conditions for a child's success in life: caring adults, safe places, a healthy start, effective education and opportunities to help others.

Governor Manchin created the West Virginia Kids First program to fulfill the promise that all children deserve a healthy start and to allow all children the benefit of a partnership comprised of parents, health professionals, and school personnel.

Kids First is a comprehensive wellness screen that includes oral health, vision, hearing, speech and language, development, height and weight. Not only will the program assure all children are healthy and ready to learn, but it will also allow better programming and planning of state health resources to assist with healthy children, healthy families and healthy schools.

Kindergarten registration will take place at the following locations:

Franklin Elementary School: April 28, 2008 9:00 - 12:00
Brandywine Elementary School: May 8, 2008 1:00 - 3:00
North Fork Elementary School: May 21, 2008 8:30 - 12:00

If your child will be entering kindergarten during the 2008-09 school year, please be sure to participate in this event. It is not necessary for your child to come with you to the registration. You can save time by bringing a copy of your child's comprehensive wellness screen (HealthCheck) from his or her medical home with you to the enrollment. In addition, please be sure to bring your child's birth certificate and their immunization record. If your child has not had a screen prior to the start of the school year, Kids First will provide this opportunity at a school site. For more information or questions contact Debbie Jackson at 358-2573.