Stories
The Springfield News-Leader has launched a public-service journalism project to focus public attention on critical challenges facing children, foster discussion and build on existing initiatives. You can read Executive Editor David Stoeffler's introductory column for more information on the project.
The recently created News-Leader's Every Child community advisory committee -- with representatives from the business, government, education, nonprofit, law enforcement, health and faith sectors -- will play an important role. It will educate and advise journalists and help engage other stakeholders and the general public in a discussion and, ultimately, action.
Habits for good dental health start early
June 18, 2012Parents may not realize it, but in this area, sweet tea and juice seem to be contributing to cavities, said Nick Hein, a dentist at the The Children’s Smile Center in Ozark.
Children's Smile Center continues to show growth
June 18, 2012Since the Children’s Smile Center in Ozark opened in December 2006, it has grown 25 percent a year, said Jackie Barger, executive director.
Studies link nutrition, obesity to increase in rate of childhood asthma
June 17, 2012Sammie Trogdon was diagnosed with asthma when she was 5 months old; her brother Jack when he was 5. ‘Before I go out to recess, I take my inhaler. We both do,’ said Sammie, a second-grader. ‘One time I was running hard, and after recess, I was wore out.’
Read the nutrition labels, go for variety
June 16, 2012If you give kids the opportunity to make healthy choices, they often do, said Allison Halter, a nurse at a local school that has implemented a fresh garden bar. The children at St.
Poor nutrition in childhood can lead to lifelong health problems
June 16, 2012Angela Jenkins has seen firsthand the effects of poor nutrition on children in the Ozarks. Within the past year, Jenkins, a registered dietitian at CoxHealth, had as a patient a toddler with metabolic syndrome, a precursor to Type II diabetes.
St. Agnes Elementary's garden bar has kids hooked on fruits and veggies
June 16, 2012Grace Ray feels ‘healthier’ since St. Agnes Elementary implemented a garden bar showcasing fresh produce every day. Ray sampled kiwi for the first time and loved it. On this day, she took servings of broccoli and watermelon.
Grants, volunteers lift Heart of the Ozarks
May 27, 2012Heart of the Ozarks was founded in 2004 by Philip Wilson. At that time, Dayspring Church operated a food bank and Christmas program but couldn’t sustain them, so Wilson offered to take those programs over and fold them into Heart of the Ozarks.
Program puts focus on importance of healthful foods
May 26, 2012Sometimes we need to rethink and relearn what we should be eating, says Torrie Bedell, mother and stepmother of four. This realization came after Bedell went through Family First, a pilot program under the nonprofit Heart of the Ozarks.
Nutritious options don't have to cost much
May 26, 2012Many low-income families struggle to feed their families healthy food when they’re on a tight budget. But there are nutritious buys for less than $1 a serving and many are 50 cents a serving (less than a candy bar).
Care funding comes, goes
May 6, 2012Burrell Behavioral Health partnered with Springfield Public Schools for four years to provide mental health counseling in the schools to at-risk students.
Survivor: It's hard to ask for help
May 6, 2012Dawn Rodman was a cutter. There’s a scar on her left arm and multiple scars on her right leg above her knee. Sometimes Dawn, now 22, would cut herself with a buck knife, going as deep as an inch. Sometimes she used a piece of glass.
Kids' mental health care needs soaring
May 5, 2012Sara Wolf is the gatekeeper at Lakeland Behavioral Health System, a psychiatric hospital for children.
Early psychiatric care for children available
May 5, 2012The top officials at Burrell Behavioral Health like to say that early psychiatric care can help prevent children from ending up in psychiatric units.
Public health services a lifesaver for parents without insurance
April 22, 2012Shannon Murrill, 40, of Springfield has high blood pressure, but she doesn’t see the doctor because she doesn’t have insurance. Her three youngest children are another matter.
Medicaid coverage is no guarantee of care
April 21, 2012Adults on Medicaid in Missouri have to be blind, pregnant or in a nursing home to qualify for dental care. It’s better for children. The federal government requires dental coverage for children on Medicaid in Missouri and other states.
Grant for asthma care runs out in '13
April 21, 2012Children in Springfield Public Schools miss more school days for asthma than any other health condition. The district’s experience is representative of problems nationwide, said Jean Grabeel, the district’s coordinator of health services.
Medicaid access can be a challenge
April 21, 2012Four-year-old Georgia McMackin has been on Medicaid since she was born.
Woman overcoming meth abuse for her kids
February 26, 2012Jennifer Daly thought at first that meth made her a better mom. She wasn’t depressed all the time and had the energy to take her two children to the park or on walks. That was before the arrest … before her two children were taken away …
Addicted women learn to become sober, better moms at recovery center
February 26, 2012Mary Beth Trokey leads the parenting classes at Carol Jones Recovery Center where moms addicted to drugs or alcohol talk about their hopes for improving their relationships with their children.
Springfield clinic ensures children stay healthy, regardless of parents' income
February 18, 2012A building that once housed a tractor supplier and then sat vacant for more than a decade is now Ground Zero for health care for the unemployed and those getting by on low incomes in Springfield.