October 7, 2019
To promote the health of South Bend children, the City and the St. Joseph County Health Department, in partnership with the South Bend Community School Corporation, South Bend Medical Foundation and St. Joseph County Public Library, are providing free lead screening at three locations in the month of October. Thursday, October 10 at Kennedy Academy from 3:30-6:30 p.m. will kick off the first of these lead screening events.
Free lead screening will be provided for any child between one and six years of age. Children do not have to attend South Bend Schools to receive testing services. Community health experts from the Health Department will be available to talk with parents about childhood lead poisoning risks and interventions.
This screening will provide parents with important information about their child’s health. Lead poisoning harms a child’s growth, behavior, and ability to learn. Children aged one to six years old are especially at risk because their brains are still developing. As a person with lead poisoning does not usually look or feel sick, a simple blood test is used to discover lead poisoning.
By providing lead testing to all young children in South Bend, the City and County will be able to better understand the impact of lead and take steps to make the community healthy and lead-safe. Two more events in October will provide screening services at Lasalle Branch Library on October 16 from 4:00-7:00 p.m. and Nuner Academy on October 24 from 3:30-6:30 p.m. As part of an effort to reach children in all areas of South Bend, previous testing events have been held at Madison STEAM Academy, Muessel Elementary School, Harrison Elementary, Living Stones Church, and the Clay Church Firehouse Campus.
Event details:
Kennedy Academy on Thursday, October 10 from 3:30-6:30 p.m.
Lasalle Branch Public Library on Wednesday, October 16 from 4:00-7:00 p.m.
Nuner Fine Arts Academy on Thursday, October 24 from 3:30-6:30 p.m.
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