COMMUNITY SERVICES

Maternal and Child Health Programs:

Home and office visits are made by registered nurses and social workers to families and children from the prenatal stage through school age. Services include guidance, assessment, monitoring, teaching, and individual and/or family counseling in areas of growth and development, physical care, behavior, nutrition, and safety. A social worker is available at the Wallingford Day Care Center to provide counseling, personal safety training programs, resource information, and referral services for children enrolled in the Center.

• Child Health Clinic for children ages birth - 18 years of age meets twice a month by appointment. Physical exams, health screenings, lead testing, immunizations, follow-up, and counseling are provided by the clinic team which consists of a pediatric nurse practitioner, a registered nurse, and a medical social worker.
  
  
• Counseling for children, adolescents, families, and couples is provided by licensed clinical social workers on a one-to-one basis for issues involving divorce, family relationships, behavior modification, and socialization. Resource information and referral services are offered. Daily and evening appointments are available.
  
  
• Dental Clinic for children ages 2 ½ years old- 18 years old meets twice a month by appointment. Cleaning, fluoride treatments, care of teeth and gums, nutrition, referral and follow-up are provided by a dental hygienist.
  
  
• Hispanic Mothers' Group meets monthly. Peer support, socialization, and educational programs are provided by a social worker and maternal child health nurse. Topics include child health and development, discipline, nutrition, and parent-child relationships. Transportation, on-site child care, and interpreters are provided.
  
  
• Day Care / Nursery school services include visits via contract by nurses and social workers. All services are provided in accordance with the standards and requirements of the Connecticut Department of Public Health.
  
  
• Screening Clinics are scheduled twice a month to measure lead counts and to assess vision and hearing for children. Appointments are required.
  
  
• W.I.C. (Women, Infant, and Children) certification meets every other week. Physical assessments and nutritional instruction are provided by VNA nurses. Counseling and referrals are provided by VNA medical social workers. Voucher distribution and counseling are provided.
  
  

Services for Seniors:

• Flu prevention services are provided through flu shot clinics. Clinics are held at numerous sites throughout the community including the Visiting Nurse Association of Wallingford, Inc., 135 North Plains Industrial Road, the Wallingford Senior Center, public agencies, local drug and grocery stores, and private businesses. Appointments are required at some locations. Medicare and many private insurance companies will cover the cost of flu shots. Please bring your insurance identification card to the clinic.
  

  For additional information or to schedule an appointment call (203) 269-1475, Monday - Friday, 9:00am - 4:00pm

• Foot Care Clinic - Foot care clinics include inspecting and assessing feet, foot soaking, nail trimming, and skin softening. Individuals who are diabetic or who take medication to thin their blood are not eligible to attend these clinics. Clinics are held at the Wallingford Senior Center and the VNA site. Appointments are required.
  
  
• Senior Center Services are available from 9:00am - noon daily to monitor and evaluate the physical and emotional health of seniors attending the Wallingford Senior Center. Health assessments include monitoring blood pressures, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels. Prescribed injections and dressing changes may be provided when requested and accompanied by a physician's order. Medication management and instruction in special diets are available.
  
  
• Senior Housing Clinics are held at each senior housing site on a monthly basis to monitor physical and emotional health and to provide resource and referral services. Physical assessments including blood pressure and weight monitoring are ordered. When a written physician's order is provided, dressing changes and B12 injections may be available.
  
  
• Social Work services are provided by licensed clinical social workers. Assistance with applications for Medicaid, insurances, housing, and convalescent placement is provided. Counseling is available for such issues as lifestyle changes resulting from illness or disability, loss of a loved one, or family changes. Resource information and referral services are provided. Home visits are made as needed.
  

General Community Services:

• Caregivers' Group meets twice a month for individuals who serve as the primary caregiver of a homebound and/or disabled individual. Workshops, discussions, and peer support are provided.
  
  
• Cholesterol Workshops offer discussions and provide information regarding medical causes, diets, and exercises for controlling cholesterol levels.
  
  
• Communicable disease care including screening, testing and identification, immunization, skilled care, counseling, and resource/referral are provided on site and in client's home as needed. Educational workshops and programs may be arranged by request.
  
  
• Diabetic Support Groups meet monthly to provide information and education regarding the disease. Facilitated by an RN, medications, diet, current treatments, physical symptoms and social issues are discussed. For additional information or to register, contact Supervisor of Community Services - (203) 269-1475.
  
  
• Flu prevention services are provided through flu shot clinics. Clinics are held at numerous sites throughout the community including the Visiting Nurse Association of Wallingford, Inc., 135 North Plains Industrial Road, the Wallingford Senior Center, public agencies, local drug and grocery stores and private businesses. Appointments are required at some locations. Medicare and many private insurance companies will cover the cost of flu shots. Please bring your insurance identification card to the clinic.
  For additional information or to schedule an appointment call (203) 269-1475, Monday - Friday, 9:00am - 4:00pm
  
  To arrange a flu clinic at your facility for the fall of 2008, contact the Supervisor of Community Services at (203) 269-1475.
  
  
• Health promotion clinics are scheduled periodically throughout the year to screen for high blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and osteoporosis. Clinics are available at various sites throughout the community.
  
  
• Parkinsons Support Groups meet monthly to assist individuals who are diagnosed with the disease. Facilitated by an RN and Social Worker, education and support services regarding medications, current Parkinsons treatments, symptoms and social issues are discussed.
  For additional information or to register, contact Irene O'Brien, LCSW (203) 269-1475.
  
  
• Smoking Cessation Workshops is a eight week series of presentations and support activities designed to assist individuals who are committed to stop smoking. Facilitated by a specially trained RN, the program assists participants eliminate and/or reduce their need to smoke. Program size is limited - early registration is suggested. For additional information or to register, call Chris More, RN, Community Service Nurse, (203) 269-1475.

For additional information regarding programs
or to schedule appointments,
call (203) 269-1475.