Office of Family Health Services

The Office of Family Health Services (OFHS) touches Virginians across the span of their lifetime. Some programs reach deep into communities with prenatal care and preventive services that enable children to thrive and to succeed in school. Others focus on controlling chronic diseases, which rob too many adults of a quality life. OFHS shows citizens that a healthy lifestyle is not a luxury, it is a lifesaver.

Hearing Aid Loan Bank Developed for Children The Hearing Aid Loan Bank, which began in May, lends children hearing aids and FM systems for up to one year while parents marshal their resources to buy permanent hearing aids. The latest development in the Virginia Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Program, the loan bank allows children to hear as early as possible and enables them to develop their language and cognitive skills on par with their hearing peers. Data for 2004 show that 98 percent of newborns were screened for hearing loss before they left the hospital. More importantly, 70.5 percent of the children who failed the initial screening received a definite diagnosis before 3 months of age, and 62 percent of children with hearing loss were enrolled in an intervention service before 6 months of age.

Integrated System to Support Early Child Development For the past year, VDH has led representatives from 50 state and private agencies through Stage I in the development of Virginia Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems. The goal is to bring programs together across agencies to implement a more family-centered, prevention-oriented system of services that promote the positive physical, emotional and social development of children up to age 5. Work groups are developing plans in several areas: medical home, early care and education, social and emotional health, parent education and family support. They will be integrated into a single seamless state plan by January 2006.

CHAMPION Initiative Fights Obesity CHAMPION, the Commonwealth’s Healthy Approach and Mobilization Plan for Inactivity, Obesity and Nutrition, is galvanizing Virginia communities in a united effort to reduce obesity. Approximately 59 percent of Virginia adults are overweight or obese, and 24 percent of 6 to 18 year olds are overweight. Direct obesity health care costs in Virginia totaled more than $1.6 billion in 2003. Recently, VDH hosted nine meetings and listened as more than 900 citizens shared their ideas on how to prevent and control obesity in their communities. A comprehensive strategic plan is expected by early 2006. An online resource directory profiling more than 200 programs that combat obesity will be available this fall. The United States Department of Agriculture recognized Virginia’s unique community-driven approach with a Certificate of Appreciation.

Breast Cancer Program Seen as a Gift The Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program screened 5,945 Virginia women in 2005, and treated 81 who were diagnosed. Many of these women say the screening gave them piece of mind and the treatment saved their lives. Streamlined intake procedures and persistent outreach efforts make it easier than ever for women who are never or rarely screened to enroll in the program, especially minorities and the geographically isolated. Fifteen trained community health workers reach far into communities armed with educational material featuring photos and statements from 10 of the program’s clients. Since 1997, the program has screened 15,000 women and found 273 cases of cancer and 122 cases of early cancer.