2010 Top-Rated Nonprofit

Heals Inc

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Nonprofit Overview

Causes: Community Clinics, Health, Health Support, Mental Health, Mental Health & Crisis Intervention

Mission: HEALS provides FREE school-based comprehensive medical and dental services, and social services to children. HEALS clinics are presently located in four Title I schools in Madison County with an additional clinic opening in 2006. We positively affect school attendance and academic performance. We are strong advocates for accessible health care. As of November 2006, HEALS has provided services to over 7,100 children and has provided 52,000 encounters and over $1,100,000 in dental services. We recently received the National Johnson & Johnson Community Health Care Award in Washington DC for the services we provide to our communities. Medical Clinics Opening in January 1999, The Rachelle L. Cassity Memorial clinic made health care available for all Lincoln School students and their families. A second HEALS medical clinic opened at Terry Heights Elementary School in August 2001. According to SAT scores, after four years of being on the State's Academic Alert status, Terry Heights School is now off Alert. The death of a kindergartener due to undiagnosed Meningitis prompted the school principal at West Huntsville Elementary School to approach HEALS about opening a clinic at her school. The school serves students from two public housing developments, a downtown homeless shelter, and a battered women's shelter. In October 2005, our fourth medical clinic opened at New Hope Elementary School, providing access to health care for approximately 2,400 children in the surrounding area. Shortly after, our fifth medical clinic opened at Martin Luther King Elementary School, in April 2006. HEALS provides the following services to all students in our host schools and their siblings, as well as children referred from other schools in Madison County: HEALS provides free medical care: -Well-child check ups (EDSDTs), immunizations, school sports physicals, acute care for illness and injury, lab work and prescription medications -Onsite specialist care: ENT, Dermatologist, Pediatric Pulmonologist, etc. (volunteer physicians come to the schools) -Local referral for other specialty care: Orthopedic, Neurology, etc. (usually pro bono if they have no insurance) HEALS provides free dental care: -Preventive care, including cleanings, x-rays, fluoride, sealants, and periodontal care -Restorative care, including fillings, root canals, pulpectomy, extractions, space maintenance, SS crowns, etc. -Dental hygiene education presentations at each HEALS school. -Currently working on collaborating with several orthodontists to provide their services. HEALS Social Service Providers: -Offer crisis counseling with children and families -Enroll and keep children on health insurance -Help adults with medical and dental referrals, job counseling, family counseling, locating community resources -Work as a liaison between faculty and parents -Educate students with classes in Anger Management, Safety on the Streets/Home, Domestic Violence, HEALS LITE program (obesity program), bullying, self-esteem and Social Skills Dental Clinic The success of the HEALS dental clinic has shown that affordable, accessible dental care is not just a dream. Services have included: -Comprehensive exam and cleanings, Fluoride and sealants -Dental hygiene classes for students -Needed restorative work- fillings (amalgam and composite), root-canals, extractions, spacers, lingual arch, frenectomy and crowns -Othodontic evaluations and Periodontal care

Community Stories

11 Stories from Volunteers, Donors & Supporters

1

Juanita D. Volunteer

Rating: 5

06/03/2015

When my family had no health insurance, HEALS stepped in and kept my children healthy. Whenever I had spare time, I volunteered with them, and they have me excellent training so that I could digitize paper files into Medflex, query Medflex for health insurance (for children that had it), and help with paperwork for dental appointments. They also carefully protect their young patient's privacy by requiring HIPPAA training for all volunteers.

This is a wonderful group of people!

3

bryan3 Volunteer

Rating: 5

06/23/2010

I wanted to help WeSpark because I really believe in the methods that they use to help people. When I was there everyone was really nice and helpful and you could tell they really cared and believed in what they were doing. I can't wait to help them more in the future.

3

dlittle Donor

Rating: 5

06/16/2010

I have seen many wonderful non-profit organizations. Our town has several that are noteworthy. However, the way in which HEALs touches the lives of kids and their families is profound. Well Doctor visits, full dental care, and a new pair of shoes when a kid has a check up. You can see the effects this type of generosity has on these children. It's amazing.

1

mosley0605 Volunteer

Rating: 5

06/16/2010

Heals, Inc. is a wonderful organization that provides healthcare and other services to children who would not otherwise receive it. From speaking with Heals staff, I understand that some of these children are not even properly fed and clothed at home, and Heals steps in at every opportunity it possibly can. There is no way we can expect children to learn, grow, and rise above their circumstances if they are unhealthy, hungry, and feel less worthy than their peers. Heal's contribution to its community is immeasurable.

1

jp3 Professional with expertise in this field

Rating: 5

06/08/2010

I managed a program that provided non-health care support in the school. But we were always coming across students who were in need of health care or dental care. HEALS worked with us to see that these children received the help they needed. Like most nonprofits, they had limited funds for their programs, but that didn't keep them from putting the children first.

1

krbyrne Volunteer

Rating: 5

06/03/2010

I am very active in the community but I volunteer with HEALS whenever I get the chance. You can tell the people that work there truly care about what they do. These children not only go without decent healthcare but they also go without adequate shoes. Two things we all take for granted most of the time.

1

tim11 General Member of the Public

Rating: 5

06/03/2010

HEALS is a wonderful organization that provides a much needed service to our community. HEALS provides medical, dental and social care to students who would otherwise do without. They have become a national model for school based services and have literally impacted thousands of students and their families with better health care. Their staff is impeccable which is reflected in the number and quality of their volunteers! A great organization doing great work!

1

tracey2 Former staff

Rating: 5

06/03/2010

HEALS has been a part of my heart since 2001 when I first heard about the agency and started working there. At the time there was a medical clinic at Lincoln and a dental clinic in a portable classroom out the back door of our offices. I witnessed not only the struggle of a young non-profit to keep its doors open but also witnessed the miracles that the agency accomplished. I have seen firsthand the joy that lights up a child's face when they get a brand new pair of shoes. I have heard the relief in a parent's voice when they are able to get help for their very sick child. I have seen the humbleness in the eyes of the volunteer doctors and dentists who know that if they didn't give of their time and talents that these children probably would never get the health care they need. I have been there; I've seen what this agency can do when given the chance, when given the resources. From a personal standpoint I can attest to the frustration of knowing there is SO much need out there, so many children who suffer needlessly, yet not being able to do more for them. You cannot imagine the agony of having to turn children and parents away because we just didn't have the resources to provide services to all who needed them. HEALS can do so much more, reach so many more children if given the resources to do so.

1

derek11 Board Member

Rating: 5

06/03/2010

HEALS is an outstanding organization that provides high-quality medical and dental care to children in Title 1 schools in Huntsville and Madison County, Alabama. With a very capable Executive Director and staff; truly professional and caring doctors, dentists and nurses; and a fully-engaged board and many volunteers, HEALS makes a difference in the lives of many children who would otherwise not receive the medical and dental care vital to their physical and emotional development. As someone who was blessed with parents who could afford the best medical and dental care money could buy during my youth, I stand in awe of what this organization does to promote health for children with extremely limited financial resources. The fact of the matter is that without HEALS, these children would go without the care they need to remain healthy, happy and productive on the path to successful adulthood. HEALS operates very efficiently and makes the most of the money it raises and receives through various sources. The healthcare professionals who work for HEALS interact with these children on a regular basis and deliver the care they need and the self-esteem that is so vital to their present and future success. HEALS' vision is to grow the local presence of HEALS to serve children in the sixteen Title I schools in Huntsville City and Madison County, Alabama. Establish the school-based health center model in Alabama and be a national model of excellence for providing fully-funded, outstanding, comprehensive medical, dental and mental health care. Identify and maximize all available resources necessary to achieve a reputation as the number one deliverer of high-quality care to the children we are privileged to treat. Improve healthcare access, student success, cost savings and overall health by ensuring the best service and by showing sincere concern for the health and well-being of the children we serve. HEALS focuses all its energy and resources toward accomplishing thisvision and has already made a measurable difference in the lives of the hundreds of children the organization has served during the past ten year. HEALS is an excellent non-profit organization that delivers results, acts as a responsible steward of resources, and deserves ever dollar it receives. Although there is room for process improvement in the steps necessary to open new clinics in the coming years, HEALS is proceeding cautiously to main quality care and demonstrate sincere concern for the young patients it is privileged to serve.

1

gconner General Member of the Public

Rating: 5

06/02/2010

We hear so much these days about healthcare, especially for children. Heals is a program which unites the generosity of this community with the medical and dental needs of children in our lower income school situations. This program touches the lives of children in such a tangible way, bringing health and care in places where it would not happen otherwise. However, the joy of this is that it is not just asking for funds to help children, but it seeks to build goodwill, good stewardship, and good fun throughout the community, both in its mission and fundraising. Children deserve health care, particularly those whose parents are unable to provide it. Heals, Inc, provides that care. I was selected to participate as a "Star" in the "Dancing wwith with Stars" fundraiser. I was hooked when I realized that I could help provide the health care by making myself available in this fun way. I was amazed at how many people, from all walks of life, helped to sponsor my turn on the dancefloor. I was truly amazed at the community doubling thier fundraisiing efforts from the last year. I encourage your help in any way to Heals, Inc., as it is doing what we all want to do...help those in need and, build up our communities, and enjoy the bringing of these things together.

1

hgc101 General Member of the Public

Rating: 5

06/02/2010

HEALS is a great organization that is dedicated to helping low income children by providing medical and health services. The passion and dedication that their team of volunteers and employees show is incredible. They work tirelessly raising money and resources to help these needy children. I was very inspired and think that HEALS is one of the unsung heros in our community!

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