Ep 188 | What if I can’t afford Dr. visits for my child?

SPEAKER_01 0:00

If we know that we can put a food pantry in a school or a clothing closet or even just additional funds for someone, a staff member in the school to get what those students need, then the teachers can really focus on teaching.

SPEAKER_00 0:20

Welcome to the Voices United in Education podcast. Each week we showcase the teachers, administrators, and community members who go the extra mile to contribute to the success of every child in Escambia County. You'll meet the real people behind the titles and learn about the amazing resources to support your child's success. Healthcare costs have skyrocketed, and everyone's feeling it. But for many families in Escambia County, the extra weight of routine visits tips the scales out of their reach. My next guest is working to bring health back in balance. She is the Healthy Schools program director, helping bring free healthcare resources to four elementary schools in the county. Today she's going to share how the program came, what it includes, and how it's setting kids up for success. Enthusiastic empowerer, community elevator, and everyday champion Jessica Johnson. Thanks for being here. Of course. Thanks for having me. I'm excited to talk about what all is offered with this, but first let's kind of get the lay of the land for the program. I would say top down, because this is a national program based on a Center for Disease Control framework. Can you unpack that a little bit? Because that's that's a lot.

SPEAKER_01 1:36

Yeah. So Healthy Schools of Scambia is our local effort to really bring home the WISC model. So it's a whole school, whole community, whole child framework. And so there are 10 components in that framework that holistically meets the needs of the kid, the student in school, the school environment, and even down to the teachers, the family included. So the 10 components, one of them, the first one is physical health and physical activity, nutrition, environment, and services, health education, social and emotional climate, physical environment, health services, counseling, psychological and social services, employee wellness, community involvement, and finally family engagement. And so what Healthy Schools does is we look at all of those components and we determine what partners need to be in place, what programs need to be in place, and all of that helps to enrich the students in the school, the school environment, and then also includes the families in the process and the teachers in the process as well.

SPEAKER_00 2:41

So the national program based on that CDC framework is like the big umbrella. Or maybe a better analogy is it's like the pile of Legos. Yes. And then you're like, okay, what do we build for this school? Yeah. Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 2:58

Yeah. That's that's a good analogy.

SPEAKER_00 2:59

Okay. Yeah. And the WISC is WSCC, the whole school, whole community, whole child, which is the 10 tenants that you said. Okay. Okay. And as of this recording, Healthy Kids Escambia is about a year old, correct? Yes. How did it come to the county?

SPEAKER_01 3:14

So ironically, back in 2024, the school district and the Escambia Children's Trust, they started having discussions about what was kind of going on at the district level. So the county was seeing tests results and kind of where they were falling and where the kids were needing help. Some of the schools needed assistance. And then at the community level, seeing where these corridors of concern are. So basically there are areas in our our neighborhoods that are typically lower income, need additional supports, wraparound services. And so the district said, hey, we've got these corridors of concern, these schools and the communities surrounding them that need assistance. And there are about 10 to 12 schools, I think, on that list. But they said, what can we do with this problem in our community? And so the chess got involved, and Lindsay Cannon and her team went to work and they said, hey, you know, we've got this model we've learned about what's happening across the nation in different capacities, and it looks a little bit different. So let's start engaging community partners to the conversation to see who can help champion the work. So there were several series of meetings and conversations and all the things. And they were asked kind of at the midnight hour almost to say, Hey, you know, would you all be willing to lead out this initiative and kind of bringing the partners together, be the lead agency for healthy schools, Ascambia, and help drive out the work. And so Laura Gilliam, our CEO, said, Of course, we would love to do that. And so Healthy Schools was born in a very short time.

SPEAKER_00 4:59

Wow, you explained that so perfectly. So that means that you're an employee of United Way, and you as a United Way employee are contracted with Escambia County Public Schools to be the lady who does the thing, right? Okay. That's essentially so what does that end up translating to as far as services for the kids? What does it look like? Like if we were to go to one of those 10 campuses that you described, what would we see?

SPEAKER_01 5:28

So, first of all, the kids are so fun. They are amazing. The schools are so incredible. So we've got seven partners right now in the four schools that we're currently in. So we've got partnerships with OJ Sims Elementary, Global Learning Academy, Brentwood Elementary, and West Pensacola Elementary. And so you're going to see after school sports through Y Sports with the YMCA at West Pensacola and Global. You're going to see after school tutoring at all four schools. You're going to see staff fun stuff for them, engagement there. So some wellness for the staff as well. Because if we can't take care of the teachers and the staff, then they can't take care of the kids and then so on. You're going to see some family engagement through our partnership with Art Gateway Help Me Grow, where they have a really neat program called Parent Cafe. So it's like a peer-to-peer model. It's structured, but it's laid back. So it's like, hey, we're going to talk about, you know, things like communication, resiliency. We're going to talk about student engagement and motivation. And then also how we can take care of ourselves as caretakers and parents. And they kind of build their toolbox essentially to take back home and be even better parents and better caregivers. So you're going to see all that. You're going to see our mobile units, which is our pride and joy, because that actually brings the healthcare services to the campuses and the dental services. So all the kids have access to that for free. So they can get their teeth cleaned, examined with the dental unit. They can get their physical exams like everything, like, you know, top down. Everything physical exam. Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 7:11

So how often do those come to the campuses?

SPEAKER_01 7:14

So we've written into our program that they can deploy at least six times a year for the actual like medical unit. And then a dental comes at least twice a year. So and it's great because it takes the burden off of the families that have to take off of work and have to coordinate transportation or appointments, which can be, I mean, it's hard enough for us as adults to do it for ourselves. So it allows the parents to go off and go to work and do what they need to do while the kids are already at school. The mobile units show up. So we, you know, make them feel at home. And then they go back to class. And so it's it's great. It it it takes a lot of legwork, but it's great.

SPEAKER_00 7:54

Is there an educational component to it? Because using the dentist example, I went to the dentist however often you're supposed to go as a kid. Yeah. But literally no one taught me how to brush my teeth. Yeah. And I didn't realize till listening to a podcast that I brushed my teeth completely inadequately. Yeah. So is there kind of a knowledge base that's being transferred there?

SPEAKER_01 8:17

Yeah. So when they're on the mobile units, they do talk with the dental hygienist and the dentist and they'll talk through, you know, here's the right toothbrush to use. Here's how much toothpaste you should be using. Here's, you know, how to floss, which are big things. And some of those kids have never flossed before, or or they've never really had anyone sit with them and tell them, like, this is how you brush your teeth. And then they come off of the mobile units and go back to class proud because they have something to say, you know what? I'm gonna go home and I'm gonna show my parents what I what I just learned. And so it's really neat to see that kind of wrap around.

SPEAKER_00 8:50

So speaking of parents, do they have to give permission for the the visits and the resources? How does that piece work?

SPEAKER_01 8:58

Yeah, so we do administer a uh very short kind of waiver so the parents understand what's gonna happen. So it's the basic information that Community Health Northwest Florida is our partner for that, that they want to see. So any medical issues that the parents can let the staff know about, anything that may be that may come up in an exam that they need to know about. And then once they do that for that first time, they have that waiver free for the whole year. So it's not a lot of paperwork for the parents. Oh, that's nice. Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 9:32

I noticed that they were all elementary schools. Is there a reason behind that?

SPEAKER_01 9:36

It would probably be through the school district. I think it's part of their efforts to kind of start the the kids off when they're young. But of course, we we get a lot of questions from other district employees in middle and high school. They're like, so what about our kids? And I'm like, hey, petition for it. Because I would love every school to have this. So it's so, so important.

SPEAKER_00 9:59

Does every student in the school qualify for it or are there parameters for qualification? No, you just have to be a student.

SPEAKER_01 10:07

So we try to make all of our services as low barrier to no barrier as possible. So as long as the student is is there and then is enrolled, we service them. So make it as simple as possible.

SPEAKER_00 10:19

What about the eye doctor? Because that can be tricky, right? Because then the eye doctor's like, hey, Johnny can't see out of his left eye. He needs some glasses. And then the parents, like, oh great, now I have to get Johnny glass. I mean, that that can be that can be tricky, right? Because it's not like the dentist where they step off the dental bus with a clean set of teeth. Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 10:40

So we lean into our partners for that. So some of the schools have different I doctor partners that they go to. Community health, again, is one of those partners that can assist with that. They've gotten some really great funding from the children's trust to expand those services as well. So when the kids do come to the mobile units for the physical medical exam part, they do have an a hearing and a vision screening. And so if they fail either one of those, then the parents get a referral to have additional care. And it's funny because we actually helped a kid at Global recently with a pair, two pair of glasses, because he lost the first pair. Oh, but it's it's nice because he lost the first pair. He was able to find them somewhere in his room, and he's got the second pair, so we keep a pair for him at the school in case he, you know, loses. That is very smart.

SPEAKER_00 11:35

Yeah, yeah. Speaking of the kids, what do they think of all of this? What's been the reaction? Because normally, dentist, eye doctor, these are not pleasant appointments. I mean, maybe you get a sticker out of it, but what impact is it having on them?

SPEAKER_01 11:50

Well, you've got a few that when, you know, they don't like to go to the doctor at all, right? So our program coordinators are in the school with this the kids every day. So they're with them, they're familiar with them. And so they are, I think that's a safe space for them to land to see, okay, I'm not going by myself. You know, I've got staff here that I'm familiar with, teachers, program coordinators, all those things that will go with me. And so while they may be apprehensive at first, of course, because they are kids, you know, the staff are great about kind of coaching them up. So they're like, Are you excited? Are you, you know, all the things? And the kids are like, Yeah. Or they're like, No. And then so they they they really walk with them throughout the process. And so one day I was kind of just dropping in and I wanted to see, you know, how it all worked, you know, how the sausage is made, so to speak. And uh there was a child that was in, I think he was in first grade, and he was familiar to one of the staff because he was at a Head Scart Head Start program before, and they had kind of been familiar with him and his family. And the staff member, he was he was very upset. He was very upset. He did not want to go to the mobile unit, but the staff member helped him, you know, talked with him about how this is gonna work and stayed with him the whole time. And he actually completed his entire exam, you know, so unscathed. So it was great. It was great.

SPEAKER_00 13:16

So the trust built in there matters a lot.

SPEAKER_01 13:20

It does, it does. And I think that, you know, it's important for the kids to feel safe first more than anything. And so that happens with, you know, them getting used to seeing you in the school. So I'm not in the school full time. Our coordinators are, but I'll go visit as often as possible. And it's so it's so interesting to see them because sometimes they remember you, and most of the time they give you that look like, I think I should know you, but I don't. What's your name again? You know, or they remember features about you. That's always interesting hearing it from a kid.

SPEAKER_00 13:54

Like what would they say?

SPEAKER_01 13:56

So I like earrings, I love earrings, love jewelry. And so I had a pair of earrings that were pretty funky. When I go to the schools, I kind of like to look a little less business professional and more like approachable for a kid. And it was on a Friday, so it was casual and everything. So they were kind of had different colors in them and whatever. Well, the kids remembered that because every time I go, I try to have this random pair of earrings for them, and they like it. So, and the girls love it. And then another kid in our wife program. The first time I met him, he said, Oh my god, you have a gap like my mom. And he was just fascinated to meet someone else with a gap. And I said, Yeah, it's my signature, even though now I have braces, but and he didn't like that. He didn't like that. So I've had braces for about a month, and I went back to the school and he was like, Are you gonna close your gap? I said, probably eventually it will. He's like, Oh, why you want to do that? And I'm like, cuz now I can afford it.

SPEAKER_00 15:00

Oh, that's so sweet though. The the little relationships that are built, and and then maybe they won't see that as scary. No. I do want to ask you though, because I always try to have in the back of my mind the most skeptical of listener. Yeah. And so I'm kind of wondering like, why does this matter? Why is this program important? Because the things that you are talking about are, you know, basic human things that we all need. Yeah. But I'm wondering, could they be achieved without this program? So sure.

SPEAKER_01 15:34

And I think that one, I feel like if any one person or one entity could do it, it would have been done a long time ago. But I think that there's power in community. So, you know, we see it in our personal life. So we have friends and we have family and and people that we, you know, connect with. But when it comes to the school environment, um, for whatever reason, some people think like, oh, it's the school's job and the school's job alone to get the kids what they need. And it's like, yes, sure, but also they're teaching the kids. They're making sure that they're, you know, academic scholars and can grow up and learn and learn how to read and learn how to write their names and all sorts of things. And so there are things that the school environment is great for. And then there are also things that the school environment needs additional support with, such as medical assistance and that goes beyond the clinic visits and those partnerships in the community to help bring resources into the school. And so that's what Essentially Healthy Schools is doing is bringing resources into the school with a plan for sustainability so that when we're gone, you know, the school can continue to go on and continue to thrive. And and I get it, you know, there are some people that think, you know, why would we, you know, spend money on this? And it's like, why wouldn't we? Why wouldn't we put the resources right at the hands of the the parents and the the families and the and the kids right there and the staff, you know, they're they're deserving of that and more. So it's really the least we can do, honestly.

SPEAKER_00 17:05

We have a lot of what actually Laura Gilliam taught me is called Alice families, right? And that means basically, you know, you are just making ends meet, but you don't have enough need that you qualify for services, but just one little emergency can tip you over into a really hairy situation. And you're a PhD candidate, and this is your dissertation, right? Is about Alice families. So can you tell me what the role the Alice families play in the needs for Escambie County students as it relates to some of these support resources?

SPEAKER_01 17:40

Yeah, I mean, so kind of going back to the example I had about having the mobile units come to the school and the parents can go to work. So that's just one example. So as a an Alice family, you're strapped for time, all the resources, time, talent, treasure, everything. Sleep. Sleep, you know, it's a lot. And so with an Alice family, you have to juggle between, you know, do I stay home with my kid who I know is sick and lose out on the hours that I need for my job or the PTO that I'm already negative in at my job, or do I go ahead and send them to school and know that the school's gonna take care of them? But then now the kid's sick and now, you know, so it's a domino effect. So for healthy schools and connecting with those Alice families, it's really important for us to meet them where they are and give and kind of raise them, you know, where they want to go. And it's just hard for them to get there because they, like I said, they're strapped for resources. So one school in particular we're working with right now, West Pensacola, they have a significantly high number of Alice families. And they live in what we consider an Alice neighborhood. So it's a working class. Most of the school, the students will walk to school or bike to school, and the you know, they're kind of like latchkey kids. I don't even know if people say that anymore, but they're not gonna be able to get a few. I don't know either, but I know what you mean. Yeah, yeah. Yeah, and so they're they're on their own after school gets out. And so having after-school programs and having those tutoring programs for the kids, it gives them a safe space to be until the parents can come and get them from work or the caretakers after work as well. So those are just like small things we can do for Alice because there's tons of things. And like you said, they don't get a lot of support. And our social services are not catered to Alice because it's still there are more people in the Alice demographic than what we would probably think about. But once you start thinking through what their challenges are and some of the kind of data behind it, you start to realize, oh, wait, I could possibly be Alice. Or wait, I actually grew up as Alice. And so I eventually I hope that we can kind of normalize conversations around that and then help to build programs and and even policy and legislator for Alice because it's needed.

SPEAKER_00 20:01

Well, as you were describing all of that, I kind of realized the, you know, the skeptical listener that I was talking about who lives on like this part of my head. I I was just thinking what would matter to that person of why this program is of value is maybe that person is the employer. Yeah. So like if you have a bunch of employees who fit in that Alice category and it's it's a problem that they have to leave when their kid is sick or take their kid to, you know, appointments or whatever the need may be, then this allows them to be better employees. Yeah. And then for the Alice families, they can progress in their career. And a lot of this, you know, a lot of these appointments and stuff, it falls on the women, right? And we need women in our community in places of leadership. So this would allow them to not have to like two steps forward, one step back when they're trying to reach their goals.

SPEAKER_01 21:00

Yeah, absolutely. I mean, just like, you know, when we think about having resources come into the school, if we know that we can put a food pantry in a school or a clothing closet or even just additional funds for someone, a staff member in the school to get what those students need, then the teachers can really focus on teaching and they're not burdened by even using their own money because there are a lot, a lot of teachers and a lot of school staff that use their own personal funds because they see the need and they know that resources are limited and they're, you know, they're like, I just, I just did it because I needed to, I needed to help this kid. Yeah. And so there are tons of champions like that in the school system. And so if we can bring those resources in through programs like healthy schools of Scambia, donors and other grants and things like that, then let's do it. Because it, like I said, there the kids are deserving of it, but also those those professionals are too, because it it definitely impacts everybody.

SPEAKER_00 21:59

It really does. Now, I'm switching gears a little bit because as of right now, you are the program director, but you recently got promoted. Yes. So tell me about that.

SPEAKER_01 22:10

Yeah, so I was recently promoted as the vice president of impact services at United Way of West Florida. So it's honestly, it's such a it's a combination of all of my experience into one and all of my passion into one. So I love it, but I oversee all of our impact areas at United Way of West Florida. So our community investment, healthy schools of Scambia, our stuff to bus initiative, Dave Kering, all of those things, our outreach, as well as our 211 and 988 support lines. So it's a big, it's a heavy lift.

SPEAKER_00 22:43

Yeah. So you're you're you're not just still in the game, you're like over, you're in the big box up at the top, you know, looking down. Right. Well, that leads me to my final question, which is why does this matter to you?

SPEAKER_01 22:54

So it matters to me personally because I was probably one of those kids that needed all of these resources. I come from a working family and I'm not from Pensacola originally, I'm from Atlanta. So there was, there were a plethora of resources, but not always the reach. And so here, you know, being in a smaller geographical area, there's a lot of great things happening, but there also is a lot of need as well. So to me personally, it's kind of like it's purpose work. So I feel very connected to it. I mean, even Alice, I was an Alice family before I even knew what it was, you know, but I can remember growing up, and you know, my parents had my siblings and I, and whatever we they could. And I'm like, how are you affording this? I mean, but we, you know, we we had what we needed, but then also there were times when they were able to provide us what we wanted. So, you know, your dance, your softball. I never played softball, my sister did. You're like, let's be clear. Yeah. Disclaimer, never me. But those those enrichment activities. And so having healthy schools, that's just another, that's a way of giving back to that. And that's something that, you know, even in my big age now, I I carry those experiences with me. And so I would want those kids to carry that with them as they get older and have their own families and and their own experiences. And so healthy schools is it's a collaborative effort. We need it. We have to have it. Because if it were just up to one person, then we'd be done, you know. But we're always gonna have need, we're always gonna have opportunity. And so, but we've got to do it together because the kids deserve it. They totally do.

SPEAKER_00 24:41

Thank you so much for this. This was perfect.

SPEAKER_01 24:43

Thank you.

SPEAKER_00 24:43

No, thank you. I'm grateful, grateful for the opportunity. Thanks for listening. Be sure to subscribe and share. Voices United in Education is a production of Escambia County Public Schools.