It is the mission of the department of Child Health Advocacy and Outreach (CHAO) to keep kids healthy and safe in order to build strong communities in the St. Louis metropolitan area. With a staff of over 50 employees, our programs focus on health promotion, injury prevention and offer community health services through our Healthy Kids Express mobile health programs.
We focus on major issues facing the community with integrated campaigns in the following areas:
Community Health Programs
Healthy Kids Express - St. Louis area's first dedicated pediatric health program providing on-site asthma, dental and preventative screening services. Approximately 20,000 children are seen through Healthy Kids Express each year. There are currently three Healthy Kids Express programs:
The Asthma Program provides:
· Personalized asthma care and education
· Asthma supplies and equipment
· Education for families, teachers and doctors’ office staff
· Asthma screenings at health fairs
Target: Schools / Ages 4-12, community organizations and doctor’s offices / All ages
The Dental Program provides:
· Lessons about brushing, flossing and using fluoride
· Dental exams for kids
· Dental cleanings and fluoride treatment
· Treatment for many dental problems such as cavities
Target: Schools and community organizations / Ages 3-18
The Screening Program provides:
· Screenings, including hearing and vision
· Testing for anemia and lead
· Referrals for medical and social services
Target: Schools and community organizations / Ages 1-18
Injury Prevention Programs
Kohl's Safety Street
· Pedestrian safety information
· An interactive neighborhood setting where kids practice pedestrian safety
· A classroom lesson
· Instruction for kids in pedestrian and passenger safety, stranger awareness, stray animal awareness and bicycle safety
Target: Schools and community organizations / Ages 4-9
Click it Crew
· Seat belt awareness presentations for teens
· An interactive 3-D movie
· Real life examples of what it’s like to be in a crash
· Video testimonials provided by families of teens hurt or killed in crashes where seat belts were not worn
Target: Schools and community organizations / Ages 14-19
Safety Stop
· Free education about car seat, bicycle and home safety
· Help from a Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician
· Sale of reduced-priced car seats, helmets and home safety products
· Locations at St. Louis Children’s Hospital, Progress West HealthCare Center and The Magic House
Target: Parents and caregivers / Appointments required by calling 314.454.KIDS (5437) or 800.678.KIDS, then press 3 to make an appointment
Health and Wellness Programs
Fit 'n' Fun Adventure
· Age-specific nutrition and exercise classroom lessons
· Advice on healthy eating and staying active
· Highly interactive program focused on prevention
· Motivation to get students moving and rewards success
Target: Schools and Community Organizations / Ages 5-11
Head to Toe
· Evidence-based weight management information
· Instruction from trained professionals
· Advice for kids and parents on healthy lifestyle choices
· Group meetings, monthly workshops, and monthly follow up phone calls with trained experts
Target: Parents and caregivers with children who are overweight /Ages 8-17
Patient Population
Pre-school children through high school are the identified age ranges. While each specific program may have targeted goals, in general the CHAO programs are aimed at all children and families in the St. Louis metropolitan region, with a focus on improving the health and safety of children by changing behavior through interventions with measurable outcomes.
The CHAO Team
- Registered Nurses
- Dentist
- Dental Assistant
- Drivers/Technicians
- Nurse Practitioners
- Exercise Physiologist
- Program Coordinators
- Program Specialists
- Registered Dietitian
- Administrative Assistants
- Social Workers
- Asthma Coaches
- Evaluation Coordinators
- Health Educators
CHAO’s Leadership Team
- Director, Child Health Advocacy and Outreach
- Manager, Healthy Kids Express
- Manager, Healthy Kids Express - Asthma Program
- Manager, Outreach Programs
- Manager, Community Relations
- Program Supervisors
For more information, contact Greta Todd, Director of Child Health Advocacy and Outreach at gtt1315@bjc.org.