http://www.co.sullivan.ny.us/Departments/PublicHealthServices/ChildrenwithSpecialHealthCareNeeds/EarlyInterventionProgram/tabid/3347/Default.aspx
The Early Intervention Program through the Sullivan County Public Health Services helps to screen for developmental delays in children ages newborn to 3 years old and get them early help. The program offers speech, physical therapy, occupational therapy, case management, and special education. The referrals can come from just about anyone familiar with the child, and physicians can play an important role in making sure these children get help early. I think this program is very important in making sure that children of Sullivan County are able to get the necessary help early so that when school comes around they are not lagging behind, a hole that could be difficult to get out of. Additionally, the wide range of services can help with many different developmental disorders that may be encountered.
As a future practitioner, I believe my role is to help keep patients aware of the benefits of programs such as this one and the one in the paper in order to promote better health amongst them. The aim is to help prevent diseases and other ailments before they begin and a good way to do that is with good public health. Many of the ailments that are affecting the population today can help to be mitigated with more programs to stop them. The example in the paper of the program to lower heart disease is a good example. Simple things such as promoting a better diet and exercise can lower the incidence of heart disease.
Additionally, as a future practitioner I feel I have some role in helping to create such programs if I perceive a deficit in public health. This can be through things such as jogging groups with patients or on a larger scale by talking to public health officials about creating programs. Proper education about program availability and programs to reduce risk factors for poor health outcomes will undoubtedly benefit patients.
