The Carol Jenkins Barnett Center for Early Childhood Learning and Health
With the start of a new school year, the Carol Jenkins Barnett Center for Early Childhood Learning and Health at Florida Southern College participated in the inaugural United Way of Central Florida’s Success By 6 back-to-school health and wellness fair.
The free community outreach event was designed to fill in the gaps for Polk County’s
more economically challenged school children and their families.As part of the day’s
events, FSC’s Dr. Tracy Magee, Assistant Professor of Pediatric Nursing and Education
Coordinator, and Beth Ann Noles, Nursing Clinical Coordinator, provided free vision
and hearing tests to underserved Polk County Public School children.More than 100
families took advantage of the event. Approximately 40 families had children receive
testing for their eyes or ears. Based on the findings of the Florida Southern contingent,
eight children were given referrals to see specialists.“One or two families came to
the event just because of us,” Magee admitted. “Their insurance does not cover the
preventative testing.”Other agencies in attendance were Florida Children's Museum,
The Florida Department of Health in Polk County, Lakeland Police Department, UWCF
Navigators, Early Learning Coalition, Learning Resource Center, Lakeland Regional
Hospital, and Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital. The following services were provided:
bicycle helmet fittings, internet safety training, DNA kits, car seat safety checks,
hearing and vision screenings, tutoring services, poison and home health information,
developmental screenings, and health care navigators.This is the first of several
programs that FSC’s Carol Jenkins Barnett Center for Early Childhood Learning and
Health Center will participate in this year. Representatives from the Center will
be speaking at parents’ events in September, discussing children with autism, and
in October, addressing children who are picky eaters.About UWCF’s Success By 6 Program
Success By 6 is the United Way of Central Florida’s in-house Early Childhood Education
program.
Think of Success By 6 as the umbrella under which all of UWCF’s early childhood education
programs and services fall under. Success By 6 includes The Carol Jenkins Barnett
United Way Children’s Resource Center, ReadingPals, Born Learning, Dolly Parton’s
Imagination Library, and Master Teachers program. More information can be found here.About the Carol Jenkins Barnett Center for Early Childhood Learning and Health Center
The Carol Jenkins Barnett Center for Early Childhood Learning and Health brings together
the resources of the School of Education and the Ann Blanton Edwards School of Nursing
and Health Sciences for a unique interdisciplinary program to positively impact the
academic experience of young children. The Center, which was created in 2020, is named
in honor of Dr. Carol Jenkins Barnett ’79, daughter of Publix Super Markets founder
George W. Jenkins. Barnett was a champion for children who dedicated her life to philanthropy,
community and enriching the educational experience for all.The Center is meant to
contribute to and utilize scientific evidence in preparing future nurses and teachers
to identify and intervene in health-related issues, and engage in community outreach,
to improve childhood learning and health.
