The Berrien County Health Department this summer is offering free vision and hearing screenings to pre-kindergarten children. Hearing and vision coordinator Melisa Jordan tells us schools require that kids be screened for vision or hearing problems before starting. Many parents don’t even realize their child has a problem until they’re taken in to be screened.
“It’s happened multiple times,” Jordan said. “A lot of parents are just unaware that their child cannot see because their child has come to be accustomed to it. They learn how to adapt to their situation. Children are very adaptable.”
Jordan says the kids are told the screenings are just a game to keep it light. The health department will hold clinics for the screenings starting this week, and they’re all Berrien County residents. There will be clinics in Benton Harbor, Niles, and Three Oaks. Just call the Berrien County Health Department to make an appointment. The clinics run through August 30.
To schedule an appointment, email Melisa Jordan at mjordan@bchdmi.org or call 269.926.7121, extension 5293.
