Health Resources for Families
Building a community where every child and family thrives is Verner’s vision for the future. Improving the health and wellness of children and families in our community is one of the ways that we work to achieve that vision. This list of health resources for families will help parents find organizations and programs, based here in Buncombe County and nationally, that work to improve health outcomes for children and families. You’ll also discover reliable sources of information on common pediatric health issues, and tips for helping your family stay healthy.
Buncombe County Health Resources
- Medicaid for Families and Children
- Medicaid for Pregnant Women
- Health Choice- free or low cost health insurance for uninsured children under 19 years old and whose family income is more than Medicaid limits, but less than 200% of the poverty level.
- Buncombe County Food Assistance
- Buncombe County Nutrition Services
- YMCA WNC- Mobile Markets and Summer Meals
- What is WIC Nutrition Program? Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Supplemental Nutrition Program is designed to improve the health and well-being of low-income pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women, infants and children up to age five who are at nutritional risk by providing:
- Nutrition education
- Breastfeeding Education and Support
- Referrals for health care
- Free language assistance
- Buncombe County Immunization Clinic
- Buncombe County WIC
- STD Clinic
- La Leche Local
- MAHEC Breastfeeding Clinic
Pediatric Dentists who take Medicaid in Asheville
Common Childhood Illnesses
Information Well-Visits for Children
Immunizations
Children in the U.S. still get vaccine-preventable diseases. For example, so far in 2015, more than 100 people across the United States have been reported to have measles. Measles is very contagious. It can spread through the air when people with measles cough or sneeze. It is so contagious that if one person has it, 9 out of 10 people around him or her will also become infected if they are not protected. An infected person can spread measles to others even before knowing he or she has measles—up to 4 days before the telltale measles rash appears. Your children’s health is a priority to us.
Children younger than 5 years of age are at risk for a serious case of measles if they get it. So we would like to remind you to keep your children up to date on their vaccines. That means make sure they get their first dose of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine at 12 through 15 months, and a second dose when they are 4 through 6 years old. We care for children of many ages, and some of them are too young to be protected by vaccination. For example, children younger than 6 months of age cannot get an MMR vaccine. Others may not be able to receive certain vaccinations due to severe allergies, weakened immune systems from conditions like leukemia, or other reasons. To help keep them all safe, it is important that you and your children who are able to get vaccinated are fully immunized. This not only protects your family but also helps prevent the spread of these diseases to your child’s friends in our classrooms.
For more information about the importance of infant immunization, visit the CDC's resource on vaccines or any of the following websites:
Don’t have health insurance or does your insurance not cover vaccines? Check out the Vaccines For Children (VFC) Program. The VFC program is a federally funded program that provides vaccines at no cost to children who might not otherwise be vaccinated because of inability to pay.
Children younger than 5 years of age are at risk for a serious case of measles if they get it. So we would like to remind you to keep your children up to date on their vaccines. That means make sure they get their first dose of the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine at 12 through 15 months, and a second dose when they are 4 through 6 years old. We care for children of many ages, and some of them are too young to be protected by vaccination. For example, children younger than 6 months of age cannot get an MMR vaccine. Others may not be able to receive certain vaccinations due to severe allergies, weakened immune systems from conditions like leukemia, or other reasons. To help keep them all safe, it is important that you and your children who are able to get vaccinated are fully immunized. This not only protects your family but also helps prevent the spread of these diseases to your child’s friends in our classrooms.
For more information about the importance of infant immunization, visit the CDC's resource on vaccines or any of the following websites:
- Immunization Tracker
- For Parents- Vaccines for Your Children
- Immunization Scheduler
- 2018 Vacunas recomendadas para niños, desde el nacimiento hasta los 6 años de edad
- Catch-up Immunization Scheduler
- Vaccines for Children
- How the CDC Sets the Childhood Immunization Schedule
- 9 Things to Make Shots Less Stressful... For You and Your Baby
- Journey of Your Child's Vaccine
Don’t have health insurance or does your insurance not cover vaccines? Check out the Vaccines For Children (VFC) Program. The VFC program is a federally funded program that provides vaccines at no cost to children who might not otherwise be vaccinated because of inability to pay.
Health Promotion and Prevention
Sun Safety
The CDC recommends that all adults and children use a layered approach for sun protection. They recommend that we use a broad spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 15 on all exposed skin. They note that sunscreen works best when used with shade or clothes. Wear a hat, sunglasses, and protective clothing to shield skin. Sunscreen must be reapplied every two hours and again after swimming, sweating, or toweling off. Seek shade, especially during midday hours.
Tick and Mosquito Bites
Safe Sleep
Crib Safety
Diet and Childhood Nutrition
- Verner Receives REACH Recognition
- Healthy Eating Plate
- 5-2-1 Almost None
- 5-2-1 Almost None- Spanish
- What’s In Season?
- How to Handle Picky Eaters?
- Responsive Feeding- “You provide, your child decides.”
- CGBI- Responsive Feeding- 0-6 Months
- CGBI- Responsive Feeding- 0-6 Months- Spanish
- CGBI- Responsive Feeding- 6-12 Months
- CGBI- Responsive Feeding- 6-12 Months- Spanish
- CGBI- Responsive Feeding- 12 Months Plus
- CGBI- Responsive Feeding- 12 Months Plus- Spanish
Toothbrushing Tips and Oral Health Information
- Tooth brushing guide for children
- Healthy Habits for Healthy Smiles
- This series of handouts for pregnant women and parents of infants and young children provides simple tips on oral health issues.
- ¡Sonrisas saludables: Un webinario para padres sobre la salud oral!
- Oral Health Goal Sheets for Parents
- 7 Ways to Make Brushing Fun for Kids
- Dental Sealants
- By the time your child is 1 year of age, the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Brushing Up on Oral Health: Never Too Early to Start recommends that your child visit a dentist for an initial check-up.
Have your child drink tap water that contains fluoride. To see if your community’s water is fluoridated, you can view your water system on CDC’s My Water’s Fluoride website. You can also call your water utility company and request a copy of the utility's most recent “Consumer Confidence Report.” This report provides information on the level of fluoride in your drinking (tap) water.