OGDEN — To serve the pockets of poverty that do exist in Davis County, Intermountain Healthcare offers a chance for a day of healthcare services.

On July 10 and 11 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., the community will be invited to participate in the Children’s Health Connection Center’s annual health day at James Madison Elementary in Ogden. During that time, kids from ages 0 to 18 years will receive medical benefits they would not normally be able to afford. With this program, services will be available for just over $20. Last year, the center saw and treated more than 2,000 children.

“If we can catch an issue early, it allows for the opportunity for a more healthy life,” said Chris Dallin, Intermountain McKay-Dee Hospital Center public relations director.

“There are pockets of poverty in Davis County that need attention,” said Sally Jones, Intermountain McKay-Dee Hospital Center community projects coordinator.

Through the Children’s Health Connection Center, children who are helped during those days can receive follow-up care for health problems. A case manager helps with the health fair and sets up appointments for any follow-up care the children are going to need.

“We’re really saving revenue down the road,” said Jones. She said the center is not interested in just putting a Band-Aid on the problem, but actually finding a permanent solution.

Children go through 11 stations in all, getting everything from blood pressure and eyesight to dental work and bone density checked. The day includes physical exams, dental work, hearing screenings, medication, vision, hair cuts and offer counseling.

Another project the center has started is to screen 4 and 5-year-old children to make sure they are ready mentally to start school.

“We screen them to see if they are falling behind to get them caught up by the time they hit kindergarten,” said Jones.

The health fair also includes a new pair of socks for each child, a hair cut for each child and this year, a commitment to give each child a new book. “We want to send these children to school with at least a new pair of socks and a hair cut,” said Dallin.

But what the focus is for the Children’s Health Connection Center is to catch problems soon and work toward prevention. “If we can catch an issue before it becomes a crisis, it saves so much time on so many levels,” said Dallin.

“These kids don’t always feel like they have an option. So if they are in pain, sometimes they just gut it up,” said Jones. “People have seen the need for this now.”

sroberts@davisclipper.com