RIVERBEND HEAD START & FAMILY SERVICES EXCEEDS THE BEST RATES
IN THE NATION FOR IMMUNIZATIONS AMONG TODDLERS

MADISON COUNTY, ILL., October 14, 2010 . . . Riverbend Head Start & Family Services, which provides child development and counseling services to more than 4,000 Madison County residents each year, today announced that its rate of completed immunizations for toddlers is more than 90%.  The organization’s rate exceeds the 83% rate reported for the State of Illinois, which stands out as one of the best rates in the nation in the National Immunization Survey conducted by the Center for Disease Control (CDC).

Children in the neighboring State of Missouri have the lowest immunization rates in the country for a recommended seven-vaccine series, according to the data.

According to Chuck Parr, president of Riverbend Head Start & Family Services, the organization’s rates are an indication of the program’s high quality standards and the organization’s close attention to following State guidelines for childcare entrance requirements.   “We far exceeded the best of the best in the Country and are very proud of the standards we have in place to protect the health and safety of the children and families in our Head Start and Early Head Start programs.”
The National Immunization Survey is conducted by the CDC each year through telephone interviews with parents and vaccination data from pediatricians and other health care providers.

Since 1916 Riverbend Head Start & Family Services has provided unduplicated child development and counseling services to families in Madison County.  Through its Head Start, Early Head Start, and Transitions Counseling programs the agency enables children and families to develop positive skills to meet life’s challenges.

For the young child Riverbend Head Start & Family Services offer early childhood education, as well as health and nutrition services. For families and individuals they offer mental health counseling, social services, family literacy and various individual strengthening and family support services.  For more information about Riverbend Head Start & Family Services and its program, please visit www.riverbendfamilies.org or call (618) 463-5946.