Pediatric Mobile Services Program

Pediatric Mobile Services in South Jersey - Virtua

Care on Wheels

Virtua's Pediatric Mobile Services provides children (ages 5 and under) in underserved communities throughout South Jersey with health services they need.

The fully-equipped program on wheels offers a range of services, including dental and developmental screenings, lead poisoning education, flu shots, health education, community resources and referrals to specialized services.

Call 609-304-0151 to schedule an appointment.

Calendar

Check out our monthly calendar to see days/times when Virtua Pediatric Mobile Services will be coming to a neighborhood near you.

Please note changes to schedule and check back regularly for updates. To make an appointment call (609) 304-0151. Walk-ins welcome!

October

Tuesday, October 1
Flu Clinic – Early Childhood Development Center, 1602 Pine St, Camden, NJ, 8:30 am – 12:30 pm. Partnership event with the Camden City School District.
http://camdencityecdc.ss12.sharpschool.com

Wednesday, October 2
Developmental Screenings – Burlington County WIC, 15 Pioneer Blvd, Westampton, NJ, 9 am – 1 pm.
https://www.fns.usda.gov/wic

Thursday, October 3
Dental Screenings – Acelero Learning, 331 Grand Ave, Camden, NJ, 9 am – 12 pm. Partnership event with the Acelero Learning Organization.
http://www.acelero.net/

Monday, October 7
Blood Lead Level Screenings – Gateway WIC, 2881 Mt. Ephraim Avenue, Units 6 & 7, Camden, NJ, 9 am – 1 pm.

Tuesday, October 8
Flu Clinic – El Centro, 438 Martin Luther King Blvd, Camden, NJ, 8:30 am – 12:30 pm.
https://www.daycarecenters.us/el-centro-comunal-borincano-day-care-in-camden-nj-bf985b263f72

Wednesday, October 9
Developmental Screenings – El Centro Day Care Center, 617 N. 2^nd St, Camden, NJ, 9:15 am – 1 pm.
https://childcarecenter.us/provider_detail/el_centro_comunal_borincano_day_care_camden_nj

Thursday, October 10
Dental Screenings – Acelero Learning, Kroc Center 1846 Harrison Ave, Camden, NJ, 9 am – 12 pm. Partnership event with the Acelero
Learning Organization.
http://alcp.acelero.net/kroc-center

Tuesday, October 15
Flu Clinic – Riletta Twyne Cream Early Childhood Center, 1875 Mulford St, Camden, NJ, 8:30 am – 12:30 pm. Partnership event with the Camden City School District.
http://camdencitycream.ss12.sharpschool.com

Wednesday, October 16
Developmental Screenings – El Centro Day Care Center, 617 N. 2^nd St, Camden, NJ, 9:15 am – 1 pm.
https://childcarecenter.us/provider_detail/el_centro_comunal_borincano_day_care_camden_nj

Thursday, October 17
Dental Screenings – Acelero, 1700 Pierce Ave, Camden, NJ 9 am – 12 pm. Partnership event with Acelero Learning Organization.
http://alcp.acelero.net/pierce-avenue

Monday. October 21
Flu Clinic – On the Wings of Love Christian Academy, 24 West 2^nd St, Florence, NJ, 8:30 am – 12:30 pm. Partnership event with
BCCAP Head Start.
http://www.bccap.org/

Tuesday, October 22
Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Week Event, CamCare Health Center, 817 Federal St, Camden, NJ, 9:30 am – 12 pm. Partnership event with Southern New Jersey Perinatal Cooperative, Lead and Healthy Homes.
https://www.snjpc.org

Wednesday, October 23
Developmental Screenings – Life Four Corners Development Center, 201 Clarkson St, Burlington, NJ, 9 am - 1 pm. Partnership event with
BCCAP Head Start.
http://www.bccap.org/

Thursday, October 24
Dental Screenings – Acelero Learning Center, 804 N. 27^th St, Camden, NJ, 9 am – 12 pm. Partnership event with Acelero Learning Organization.
http://www.acelero.net/

Tuesday, October 29
Flu Clinic – Life Four Corners Development Center, 201 Clarkson St, Burlington, NJ, 8:30 am - 12:30 pm. Partnership event with
BCCAP Head Start.
http://www.bccap.org/

Wednesday, October 30
Developmental Screenings – On the Wings of Love Christian Academy, 24 West 2^nd St, Florence, NJ, 9 am – 1 pm. Partnership event with BCCAP Head Start.
http://www.bccap.org/

Thursday, October 31
Dental Screenings – Acelero, McGuire Gardens Center, 150 Boyd Ave, Camden, NJ, 9 am – 12 pm. Partnership with Acelero
Learning Organization.
http://alcp.acelero.net/mcguire-gardens

November

Monday, November 4

Blood Lead Screenings – TBD

Tuesday, November 5
Flu Clinic – The Neighborhood Center, 278 Kaighns Ave, Camden, NJ, 8:30 am – 12:30 pm.
https://www.neighborhoodctr.org/

Wednesday, November 6
Developmental Screenings – Burlington County WIC, 15 Pioneer Blvd, Westampton, NJ, 9 am – 1 pm.
https://www.wicprograms.org/li/nj-burlington_county_wic_program

Thursday, November 7
Dental Screenings – Hope Academy, 1841 Burlington-Mt. Holly Rd, Westampton, NJ,
9 am – 12 pm. Partnership event with BCCAP.
https://www.hopeacademykids.com/

Tuesday, November 12
Flu Clinic – Veterans Memorial Family School, 800 N. 26th St, Camden, NJ, 8:30 am – 12:30 pm. Partnership event with the Camden City School District.
http://camdencityveterans.ss12.sharpschool.com/

Wednesday, November 13
Developmental Screenings – Little Promises Learning Center, 1285 Hornberger Ave, Roebling, NJ, 9 am – 1 pm. Partnership event with BCCAP. https://childcarecenter.us/provider_detail/little_promises_learning_center_roebling_nj

Thursday, November 14
Dental Screenings – Primary Colors, 248 Pennypacker Dr, Willingboro, NJ, 9 am – 12 pm. Part-nership event with BCCAP.
https://childcarecenter.us/provider_detail/primary_colors_llc_willingboro_nj

Monday, November 18
Blood Lead Screenings – National Park Elementary School, 516 Lakehurst Ave, National Park, NJ, 9 am – 1 pm. Partnership event with the National Park School District.
https://childcarecenter.us/provider_detail/primary_colors_llc_willingboro_nj

Tuesday, November 19
Flu Clinic – Bank Street Center, 155 Marlton Ave, Camden, NJ, 8:30 – 12:30. Partnership event with RESPOND. http://www.respondinc.com/respond-inc-childcare-development-centers/

Wednesday, November 20
Developmental Screenings – BCCAP Home-Based Socialization Group, 1 Anderson Rd, Pem-berton, NJ, 9 am – 1 pm.
http://www.bccap.org/

Thursday, November 21
Dental Screenings – Anna Sample House, 416 Line St, Camden, NJ, 9 am – 12 pm.
https://www.voadv.org/family-shelters

Tuesday, November 26
Flu Clinic – U.S. Wiggins Elementary School, 400 Mt. Vernon St, Camden, NJ, 8:30 am – 12:30 pm. http://camdencitywiggins.ss12.sharpschool.com/

Wednesday, November 27
Developmental Screenings – TBD

Thursday, November 28
Happy Thanksgiving!

About the Program

Such tremendous need exists in the medically underserved areas across Burlington, Camden and Gloucester counties, and our youngest residents, children under the age of ﬁve, often quietly suﬀer the most. Without access to routine exams and screenings, children with developmental delays and other health concerns are not identiﬁed early, so issues go undetected and unaddressed during a critical period of their development.

For children with limited access to nutritious foods and basic dental hygiene, it is often too late for healthy teeth by the time they get to kindergarten and see a dentist for the first time. Furthermore, children who do not receive their immunizations are not permitted to attend public school, leaving them at home for weeks and months at a time in aging houses and apartments that expose them to dangerous levels of lead.

Through a gift from the Joseph Lacroce Foundation, Virtua's Pediatric Mobile Services Program aims to address the health needs of children across South Jersey. The mobile program will bring pediatric services directly to those children (infant to 5 years old) who are living in medically underserved and impoverished urban and rural communities across Burlington, Camden and Gloucester counties.

Virtua’s Pediatric Mobile Services Program team will provide a range of services, including:

Developmental screenings
Oral health education and dental screenings
Flu shots
Education on lead poisoning and screening information
Community resources
Referrals to specialized services

The Pediatric Mobile Services Program will also equip parents with the knowledge and resources they need to help their children grow and thrive.

Partnerships

Collaboration with community partners is the key to our success. Thank you to our partners:

Photos

Mobile Pediatrics Services - Virtua

Health Facts

Early Detection and Intervention of Child Developmental Delay

High quality early intervention services can change a child's developmental trajectory and improve outcomes for children, families, and communities.

Services to young children who have or are at risk for developmental delays have been shown to positively impact outcomes across developmental domains, including health, language and communication, cognitive development and social/emotional development. Benefits to society include reducing economic burden through a decreased need for special education.
Early social/ emotional development and physical health provide the foundation upon which cognitive and language skills develop.

Decades of rigorous research show that children’s earliest experiences play a critical role in brain development. The Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University has summarized this research:

Neural circuits, which create the foundation for learning, behavior and health, are most flexible or “plastic” during the first three years of life. Over time, they become increasingly difficult to change.
Persistent “toxic” stress, such as extreme poverty, abuse and neglect, or severe maternal depression can damage the developing brain, leading to lifelong problems in learning, behavior, and physical and mental health.|
The brain is strengthened by positive early experiences, especially stable relationships with caring and responsive adults, safe and supportive environments, and appropriate nutrition.
Early social/ emotional development and physical health provide the foundation upon which cognitive and language skills develop.|
High quality early intervention services can change a child’s developmental trajectory and improve outcomes for children, families, and communities.
Intervention is likely to be more effective and less costly when it is provided earlier in life rather than later.

Click here for more information.

Dental Care and Oral Health

According to the Centers for Disease Control, tooth decay is among the most common chronic conditions of childhood. One in 5 children, aged five to 11, and 1 in 7 children, aged 12 to 19, have at least one untreated cavity.

These numbers are higher for children from minority and low-income families. African-American and Hispanic children are more likely than white children to have cavities in their primary (baby) teeth and are twice as likely as white children to have untreated cavities. The disparity in untreated cavities continues into the teen years.

A report by the Pew Charitable Trusts states that untreated tooth decay "can cause pain and infection that may lead to difficulty eating, speaking, socializing and sleeping, as well as poor overall health." Tooth decay can also contribute to low self-esteem and dental health problems.

Dental problems can also adversely affect both school attendance and performance. A report issued by the U.S. Surgeon General in 2000, estimated that more than 51 million school hours were lost annually due to dental-related illnesses.

Click here for more information.

Lead Exposure and Lead Poisoning

There is no safe level of lead in children. As lead exposure continues to be an ongoing health challenge, it is important that parents take precautionary measures to keep their children safe and healthy. While exposure can damage a child’s learning and development, it can be prevented.

Lead can disrupt the normal growth and development of a child’s brain and central nervous system. While lead paint lead paint in homes built before 1978 remains the largest contributor to elevated blood lead levels in children, there are many different lead exposure sources, including water from leaded pipes and imported toys, candy, spices, jewelry, cosmetics, herbal remedies, and pottery.

The New Jersey Department of Health provides resources for parents to stay informed so child lead exposure can be avoided.

Who Is at Risk?

Children under the age of 6 years because they are growing so rapidly and because they tend to put their hands or other objects into their mouths.
Children from all social and economic levels can be affected by lead poisoning, although children living at or below the poverty line who live in older housing are at greatest risk.
Children of some racial and ethnic groups and those living in older housing are disproportionately affected by lead. For example, 3% of black children compared to 1.3% of white children have elevated blood lead levels.

Click here for more information.