03/28/2024
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The Bladen County Local Interagency Coordinating Council (LICC) members met in Elizabethtown on August 17, 2022, to work toward providing needed information for early intervention services in the area.

Ruth Huggins, chair of the collaborative, distributed an updated copy of Head Start programs in Bladen, Columbus, Hoke, Robeson, and Scotland counties. An eligibility packet for Head Start was also distributed. The group listed ideas to bring about more North Carolina Pre-K learning opportunities.

One group member mentioned a program in Sampson County called “Parents as Teachers.” The committee agreed to talk with Head Start and Smart Start members to find out more. A PDF file of the list for the early learning centers may be found here, Early Learning Center Directory.

LICC board member Jane Houseal Johnson, Speech-Language Pathologist with Speech Solutions, Inc., announced the Elizabethtown-White Lake Chamber of Commerce will hold a Kid’s Day at the Farmer’s Market during the 30-Days of Christmas event. Members agreed to have brochures printed for distribution at the event.

According to Sheila Manuel, Foster parenting is not easy, but the Bladen County Department of Social Services will train and support foster parents throughout the process. Good homes for children are needed in Bladen County. The local DSS held an open house in August for anyone interested in becoming a foster parent. Anyone still interested in being a foster parent may contact Manuel at DSS, located at 208 E McKay Street in Elizabethtown, NC. Call (910) 862-6830 with any questions and/or concerns.

During the round-robin, it was announced, Coastal Horizons Mobile Clinics started serving Bladen, Columbus, and Brunswick Counties. Their Mobile Clinics vary in location based on the day. The Mobile Clinic services include:

Assessments for Substance Use and Mental Health
Psychiatric Medication Management
Individual Therapy
Peer Support Services
Medication Assisted Treatment
Flu and Covid-19 vaccinations
Health Education

Bladen County Mobile Unit Location Schedule is as follows:
Monday: White Oak Fire Department
Tuesday: Ammon Fire Department
Wednesday: Hickory Grove Fire Department
Thursday: Bladen East Medical Center
Friday: Kelly Fire Department

If you would like to schedule an appointment with Coastal Horizons, you can go to their website www.coastalhorizons.org or contact them at 910-742-7049. Walk-ins are welcome from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Vickie Gillespie with Local Children’s Developmental Services Agencies (CDSAs) introduced Anna King as the new Early Intervention Coordinator for Bladen and Sampson Counties. The CDSAs’ services families, caregivers, and professionals of children with special needs through their Infant-Toddler Program. Anyone interested in the referral process may email Gillespie at vickie.gillespie@dhhs.nc.gov.

Before the meeting adjourned, Huggins announced Goshen Medical Center had opened a new medical center on Mercer Mill/Brown Marsh Road in Elizabethtown. According to Huggins, the center offers a sliding scale pay system at other locations and will be a good resource for families.

The next LICC meeting is scheduled for October 19, 2022, at 3:30.

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