Louisiana Healthcare Connections assisted with 19 back-to-school events across the state, helping to ensure that nearly 5,000 children were adequately prepared for the 2022-2023 school year.
Louisiana Healthcare Connections provided school supplies for students, office supplies for teachers, gift cards for school shoes to attendees, as well as age-appropriate information about physical health, oral and vision care, and nutritional education. Acadian Ambulance also administered free vaccinations, and vendors brought in the fun with balloons, face-painting, and sno-cones at various back-to-school events. The plan’s trained health coaches were also onsite at each event to provide personalized assistance and support to members, and to promote the value of preventive care for long-term wellness to all attendees.
Events were sponsored by a range of community volunteers at a host of locations, including health centers, churches, community centers, and parks.
“Today, we gave out over 200 gift cards towards the purchase of shoes for our wonderful school age kids,” said Zachary Councilman Lael Montgomery, who spoke at the Kickz 4 Kidz B2S event in Zachary. “Thanks to all our supporters, sponsors, volunteers, and the numerous people who donate every year. Every kid in the park received a gift card, and that means a lot to me!”
Many of the supported events, spanning 13 cities across Louisiana, also provided families with access to important supplemental services such as free haircuts, school uniforms, and health screenings for both adults and children.
“Even without the added stress of our current economy, a new school year is often a financial hardship on Louisiana families,” said Yolanda Wilson, Louisiana Healthcare Connections vice president of quality improvement. “We are fortunate to have community partners across the state who share our commitment to ensuring that Louisiana’s children have access to the tools and resources they need to have a healthy, successful school year.”