Contact:             

Lindsay Hansen                Andrea Aker       

Catholic Charities             Aker Ink           

(480) 205-6195                (602) 339-7339

lhansen@cc-az.org            andrea.aker@akerink.com

PHOENIX, Ariz. (Jan. 11, 2008)…Delta Dental of Arizona Foundation has awarded grant funding in the amount of $10,000 to provide oral health treatment for children in Catholic Charities’ Head Start and Early Head Start programs, throughout the West Valley.

“We are thrilled about this award,” said Cathy Tompkins, director for Catholic Charities’ west valley regional service center.  “Research indicates that more than 20 percent of two-year olds in Arizona have experienced tooth decay and more than 25 percent of Arizona’s kindergarteners have never seen a dentist. Our children come from low income families and most do not have adequate dental coverage. Without this funding, they would never receive any dental care.”

Delta Dental of Arizona Foundation’s financial contribution will pay for general dental treatments and major oral health care through a new partnership between Catholic Charities and the Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health’s mobile program. 

Catholic Charities’ Head Start and Early Head Start programs are developmental preschools for children ages 0-5 whose families qualify under poverty guidelines. Services extend to parental involvement in program governance, health and nutritional monitoring and services, and classroom behavior management consultation. The program also educates pregnant women about early childhood development and effective parenting. Catholic Charities’ Head Start and Early Head Start programs serve more than 1,000 children and their families through the operation 50 classroom sites and 10 home base locations.

About Catholic Charities

Founded in 1933, Catholic Charities Community Services is one of Arizona’s oldest and largest nonprofit organizations which offers a diverse range of social services that strengthen families, protect and nurture children, and support people in crisis.  Catholic Charities serves people of all ages and faiths.  Last year, the charitable organization provided over 50 programs at 100 locations to more than 200,000 people in central and northern Arizona.  Catholic Charities is a member organization of Catholic Charities USA, which is the largest private network of social service organizations in the United States working to support families, reduce poverty, and build communities.  The organization is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Children and Family Services.  To learn more about Catholic Charities visit www.catholiccharitiesaz.org.

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