The education of every child begins at birth. With that in mind the Barry Universitys Schools of Nursing, Graduate Medical Sciences, and Education are collaborating to educate infant and toddler caregivers about the critical role they play in helping shape the future of the children in their care. Project ITTCH (Infant-Toddler Training and Children’s Health) funded by the Early Learning Coalition of Miami-Dade & Monroe through a grant to Barry University’s School of Nursing, plays a vital role in this process for low income and disadvantaged children. Dr. Linda Perkel, project director, explains that the project provides training, continuing education and mentoring for over 100 caregivers from 20 designated childcare facilities, offers health screenings to children 0-5 years of age which includes immunization checks and appropriate referrals to increase children’s intellectual, emotional, social, and physical development so that they are ready and eager to learn after they leave the daycare and enter kindergarten, and podiatric screenings and referrals.
Marvin Williams, DPM and Deborah L. Lewis, RN, BSN, MPH exam young child.
Dr. Perkel shares that in addition to the health screenings Project ITTCH provides a comprehensive training program for infant-toddler caregivers, mentors caregivers to enhance their role as early childhood educators and conducts an annual health fair co-hosted by the Barry University Schools of Nursing, Education, and Graduate Medical Sciences, focusing on early childhood health and wellness.
Since the projects inception, Dr. Marvin Williams, DPM, Barry University Podiatric Sports Medicine Fellow and podiatric physician for Project ITTCH, screened 500 children from a few months old to four years of age. Dr. Williams explains, “The common lower extremity problems I have found include in-toe gait, excessively flat feet, and ingrown nails.”
On a typical visit to the daycare centers, Williams will assess motion and flexibility at the hip, knees, legs, ankles, and feet. He also examines the children for any abnormalities as well as making sure that they are walking and running without difficulty.
After going with Barry University’s Deborah Lewis, RN, BSN, MPH, pediatric nurse for the ITTCH Program to daycare centers, Williams plans to incorporate pedo-podiatrics into his practice once his fellowship training is complete. “As a Barry podiatric sports medicine fellow I have a dream job, working on the sideline and locker room with Miami’s collegiate and professional athletes,” Williams declared.
It is a pleasure to work with Ms. Lewis because of her dedication and commitment to the success of the project,” he acclaimed. “Seeing the smiles on the faces of the infants and toddlers at the centers and knowing we are making a difference is so rewarding,” he added.
