Virtua Health plans to expand its support of needy young children and families with the introduction of a second, specially designed vehicle that offers essential health services.
The new van will amplify Virtua’s Pediatric Mobile Services Program, increasing its capacity by 70% to serve families in Burlington, Camden and Gloucester counties. Anticipated to help facilitate about 10,000 annual mobile visits – up from 6,000 – the vehicle’s unveiling was celebrated at Virtua Voorhees on June 13.
The event featured tours of both vehicles, interviews with experts, activities with local preschoolers and special acknowledgments to donors who’ve supported the mobile program, which began in 2018.
Maria Emerson, Virtua’s director of pediatric rehabilitation, emphasized the pressing need for health services in South Jersey communities both urban and rural. With the additional vehicle and expanded staff, the mobile program can now offer multiple services six days a week and visit two sites per day despite barriers of access and language.
“There is an enormous need in South Jersey for these services …,” said Emerson.
Many children in South Jersey miss out on vital health services due to socioeconomic challenges. But early intervention is crucial for addressing issues like vision problems and developmental delays, according to Virtua.
“We provide full, wrap-around services to ensure families receive the care they need and deserve,” Emerson explained. “For example, we help parents schedule any needed medical appointments for their children and we follow up with them to make sure they received those services. We also help them fill out paperwork for charity care and SNAP benefits, if needed.”
The mobile program primarily caters to children from birth to age 6 and offers services that include developmental screenings, oral health education, flu shots and lead screenings. It also provides essential resources like diapers, formula, books and clothing, all with the support of donors that include the Joseph Lacroce Foundation, which pledged $2 million to the mobile program expansion; the TD Charitable Foundation; and Delta Dental of New Jersey.
For more information and to access free children’s health services, visit Virtua.org/MobilePeds. No appointments aren’t a must, but they can be scheduled by calling (609) 304-0151. To support other Virtua programs, visit GiveToVirtua.org.
