Thanks to a partnership between Del Valle I.S.D. Child Find and the University of Texas School of Nursing Children’s Wellness Center, children with special needs are being identified at earlier ages in this traditionally under served community. While the statistic are impressive, it is those whose lives have been touched by this innovative commitment to a continuity of care between school and health services that tell this story best.

Like all children, Kiki enjoyed playing with her toys. Unlike other kids her age, she had a hard time putting words together and was often difficult to understand. Concerned yet uncertain of where to turn for help, her mother Sharon had no choice but to hope for the best. Until a visit to the Children’s Wellness Center clinic opened a new world of possibilities to her family. With a single-point-of-contact to help her deal with health insurance issues and obtain health screenings, Sharon found that the roadblocks that had prevented her daughter from getting the care she needed were removed. Today, Kiki is one of many children who is benefiting from early identification and receiving school services in Del Valle.