[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 22 (Thursday, March 3, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: March 3, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
   CONGRESSMAN HORN HONORS PARAMOUNT HEALTHY START COLLABORATIVE, AN 
                 INTEGRATED CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICE

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                           HON. STEPHEN HORN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 3, 1994

  Mr. HORN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Paramount 
Healthy Start Collaborative, a program that provides an invaluable 
service to the Paramount Unified School District and embodies the 
spirit of cooperation for which we all strive.
  Paramount Unified School District is located north of Long Beach and 
is one of the lowest wealth districts in Los Angeles County. In recent 
times, this district has had to severely limit noninstructional 
services while also being ravaged by the scourge of violent crime and 
heavy gang activity.
  Results of extensive assessment revealed a dramatic need for access 
to services and treatment for the following: health problems, including 
prenatal care, sexually transmitted disease, education, and mental 
health. Additionally, there exists a need for counseling in substance 
abuse intervention and prevention, alternatives to gangs, family 
financial support, parent education, nutrition counseling, and services 
for pregnant minors and teen-age mothers. Currently, the number of 
children considered at risk far outweighs the district's capacity to 
provide services to meet their noninstructional needs.
  To address these urgent needs, Paramount quickly embraced the concept 
of coordinated, integrated social services and reached out to city, 
county, private, and other agencies to join in a collaborative effort. 
Responding to the needs of their community, nine agencies committed 
themselves to develop a Health Start grant to integrate school and 
community services for the children and families of Paramount.
  Following this response, a Family Service Center was opened on the 
Wirtz Elementary school site which provides services to students and 
their families attending Paramount High School, Clearwater Intermediate 
School, and Wirtz Elementary School. Students and families are referred 
by the school staff or come directly to the Family Service Center. 
Treatment plans are developed for the students and their families with 
input from each participating agency. Services include assessment, 
counseling, parent education, and referrals for substance abuse, child 
abuse and neglect, health, mental health crises, and alternatives to 
gangs.
  As a result of the success of the Paramount Healthy Start 
Collaborative, the circle of sponsors has grown rapidly. Lending their 
support to the program are the following: Bellflower YMCA; The School 
of Social Work at California State University, Long Beach; City of 
Paramount; County Office of Education, Department of Children's 
Services; Department of Health Services; Department of Mental Health; 
Department of Probation; Department of Public Health; Department of 
Public Social Services, El Nido; International Institute of Los 
Angeles; New Beginnings; Southern California Alcohol and Drug Program; 
Southwest Regional Laboratories; United Way; and the Women Infant 
Children Program. In the first year of Paramount Healthy Start 
Collaborative, over one thousand children and adults have benefited 
from its services.
  This impressive outpouring of concern and support in Paramount is 
tribute to the spirit of community involvement that will help us all 
overcome the troubles afflicting cities across the United States.

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