Page 6 - Stuart Exposure - November '21

Page 6, Stuart Exposure

gooD Works

Hibiscus Children’s Center feel more confident in caring for my children. I feel less stress largest population of veterans in the United States – more than

‘SafeCare Program’ Helps as a parent with the new skills, materials and supplies I was 1.5 million people. The nonprofit supports veterans who served
given through the SafeCare Program.”
in World War II through present day conflicts. To date, over
Strengthen Families The goal of the SafeCare Program is to ensure that the 10,000 veterans and their families have received more than $5
children’s safety and health are a priority and the parent- million in direct financial assistance. WVRF’s intervention and
*Name changed to protect privacy. child interactions are appropriate and reduce the stress and work literally keeps veteran families from becoming homeless.
Hibiscus Children’s Center implemented a new prevention challenges for both of them. The four essential components Beyond this support, WVRF is also a major advocate of
program serving St. Lucie and Indian River County families of SafeCare include: Parent-infant interaction, parent-child veterans and an ally as they confront obstacles before them.
in Spring 2019. The SafeCare Program is a collaborative interaction, home safety, and child health. Last year, SafeCare Their most recent challenge has been to expand dental care
partnership between Hibiscus Children’s Center and Behavior served 402 children and families and 98 percent of families access for veterans and the launch of their dental program.
Basics, Inc. and focuses on providing parenting education served showed no findings of child abuse during services, six During an emergency dental examination made possible by
through home visits. Hibiscus Children’s Center and Behavior months and one year post completion of services. In addition, WVRF, it was detected that one of their veterans was suffering
Basics welcome new clients and the services are free. 99 percent of children were maintained within the family home from oral cancer. That timely examination caught an oral
preventing entry into the foster care system. cancer that could have been fatal. This startling realization and
For more information, please visit us at the discovery of just how few veterans can access dental care
HibiscusChildrensCenter.org or contact Behavior Basics at prompted WVRF to do something. With support of their board
(772) 463-0444. We are here to help! SafeCare is funded, in of directors and the partnership of one local dentist, WVRF
part, by Children’s Services Council of St. Lucie County and began to bridge this gap in health care for veterans. The lives
Communities Connected for Kids and is a collaborative program of at least two veterans were saved by early diagnoses during
between Hibiscus Children’s Center and Behavior Basics, Inc. a dental examination.
In addition to overall physical health, poor oral health is
Bringing Smiles To also a contributing factor to mental health illnesses. Veterans
Wounded Veterans – have shared that they stopped smiling and experienced poor
self-esteem, shame, depression, and job rejections because of the
WVRF’s Dental Program aesthetics and state of their mouths. Gum disease, chronic bad
breath, tooth decay, and mouth sores result in loss of confidence
By Chrystal D. Rambarath among veterans as well. These conditions also jeopardize
SafeCare parent coaches (left to right): Deidra Bass, Jean Diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and oral cancer: What do veterans’ ability to secure a stable job, a critical aspect of their
Snyder and Marchella Barr these afflictions have in common? According to the Center for transition to civilian life. With little financial safety nets, a job
Disease Control, these and other chronic conditions can be linked keeps veterans and their families with roofs over their heads.
SafeCare helps families in need of parenting assistance, to poor oral health. While in some cases, it is yet to be determined With the increased demand among veterans for mental health
like Alyssa. Alyssa is a single mother referred for services by if poor oral health causes these conditions, it is undeniable that care, it is imperative that access to dental care be expanded.
her case manager. She spent three months in jail and was on many illnesses can be detected during routine dental checkups. In 2020, WVRF launched their fledgling dental program. It
probation during her time in the SafeCare Program. Alyssa Encouragingly, good oral hygiene and treatment can reduce heart was piloted in Palm Beach County and offers emergency dental
struggled with substance abuse and entered an inpatient attacks by 35 percent. Though that is good news for Americans assistance to qualified veterans. These veterans must have a 10
treatment program. Upon release, she was attending meetings who have dental insurance and those that adhere to their biannual percent or more service-connected disability rating or have an
weekly and was randomly drug tested. Her two children were checkups, there is a segment of our population for whom this active pending claim, be a Florida resident currently residing
removed from the home but they were reunified the following basic care is out of reach. in Florida, have been honorably discharged from the military,
year and Alyssa welcomed a new baby, as well. The safety of Our veterans face danger of all sorts: enemy fire, biological and need emergency dental care. It is the WVRF’s intention
children is the primary focus of the SafeCare Program. The and chemical threats, and more. But upon their return home, that the dental program will be expanded, with a location for
Hibiscus parent coach provided Alyssa with a health manual they also face new dangers – threats that make their transition to dental services in each of Florida’s 67 counties. In the interim,
and supplies to create a first-aid kit. She also learned the civilian life difficult. One silent, almost undetectable threat can be the nonprofit has the support of at least 10 local dentists who
process using a flow chart and the health manual to determine found in their mouths. As many as 92 percent of veterans served are ready to donate their services.
if an injury/illness was an emergency situation, if a doctor by the Veteran’s Affairs system are ineligible for dental care Whatever their reasons for serving, veterans are bound by
appointment was needed, or if the child could be cared for at benefits. Only honorably discharged veterans with a 100 percent a profound sense of duty and uphold the defense of American
home. Alyssa was very eager to learn how to better care for service-connected disability qualify for dental care through the values. They willingly risk their lives and make great sacrifices
her children and was excited when the parent-child interaction VA. Thankfully, nonprofits often fill the gaps left unserved by so that their fellow citizens can enjoy freedom, liberty, and all
(PCI) portion of the program was introduced. Alyssa was the government and the private sector. rights that our citizenship allows. When they return home, and
frustrated that her children didn’t always listen to her and she The Wounded Veterans Relief Fund (WVRF), established in their time of need, it is our turn to support them. We hope
didn’t know what to do. Alyssa did a great job mastering the in 2009, was created to support Florida’s disabled veterans that you are moved by the tribulations that confront them. If
skills that were taught and has continued to use her skills in by relieving the financial strains that prevent their transition you are able, we call upon your generosity to expand the critical
successive sessions with her parent coach. to civilian life. They provide temporary emergency financial services that the dental program offers. You may donate your
Alyssa completed the SafeCare Program and stated, “I am assistance to qualified disabled veterans. The impact of WVRF’s
feeling grateful for the opportunity to take the classes and I work is tremendous, considering that Florida is home to the third Good Works on page 7
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