The Knox County Health Department (KCHD), TennCare Kids and a host of community partners are once again planning activities to observe Child Health Week, Oct. 3-9, 2016. In honor of Child Health Day, first proclaimed by President Calvin Coolidge in 1928, the State of Tennessee designates a week in October every year to focus on the health of its children.
“Child Health Week serves as an annual reminder to do what you can to have a positive impact on the health and well-being of our children,” said Charlayne Frazier, TennCare Kids community outreach manager at KCHD. “Whether that means role modeling healthy behaviors for your children or grandchildren, promoting healthy habits, or supporting observances like International Walk to School Day, we encourage the community to support the health of our children in the best way that works for them.”
Child Health Week activities are designed to raise awareness of the many ways the community can help children have healthy, productive futures. Some of the public events include:
Saturday, Oct. 1
Strong Baby Open Casting Call – In search of new, local babies to star in the Strong Babies public health campaign, KCHD will host an open casting call Saturday, Oct. 1 from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at its main location, 140 Dameron Ave. The Strong Baby public health campaign promotes healthy behaviors among families to help make sure babies are born healthy, safe and strong. More information is available at strongbabyknox.org.
Tuesday, Oct. 4
Community Influenza Vaccination Clinic – KCHD’s Teague Clinic, 405 Dante Rd. in North Knoxville, will offer influenza vaccinations to the community from 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. The public should bring their insurance information; billing insurance helps KCHD sustain the program. While insurance will be filed, no individual will be charged for a shot. Vaccinations will also be available to those without insurance. More information about this community clinic and others is available at knoxcounty.org/health/schoolflu.
Wednesday, Oct. 5
International Walk to School Day – A great way to promote family involvement in regular physical activity. In Knox County, 19 elementary and middle schools are taking part in this annual event. Parents should contact their child’s school to see if it is participating.
Saturday, Oct. 8
Healthy Teen Conference – The TennCare Kids program and BlueCare TN will host an annual teen health conference at Fellowship Church, 8000 Middlebrook Pike, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Designed for high school students, the half-day event includes interactive sessions that focus on healthy decision-making. The event is free and registration is not necessary.
Special Weeklong Activity
Healthy Storytime – A fun way to help children learn about healthy habits. The Knox County Public Library will incorporate health-related books into regular storytimes, one of the library’s initiatives to help children develop literacy skills. For more information contact Erin Nyugen at 865-215-8761 or click on the Kid Zone section of the library’s website: www.knoxlib.org.
Child Health Week in Knox County is made possible by partnerships with TennCare Kids, Knox County Schools, Knox County Health Department, East Tennessee Children’s Hospital, BlueCare TN, DentaQuest, Safe Kids of the Greater Knox Area, University of Tennessee College of Social Work and Knox County Public Library.
