Desert Messenger

4 www.DesertMessenger.com August 7, 2019 T��� ����� ������� �� D����� M�������� Head Start openings 585 N. Central Quartzsite Open Mon-Fri 8-5 928-927-8787 Johnny DelPino, Owner BEST AUTO RV & TRUCK REPAIR SERVICE YOU CAN DEPEND ON! Ehrenberg, AZ - Applications for Head Start are being accepted in the area. Children at least 3 years of age must not have reached the age of 5 by September 1st of the current school year. Applications for Early Head Start are accepted for children 0-2 years of age. Head Start is a comprehensive early childhood education program for pre- school age children whose families meet current Department of Health and Human Services income eligibil- ity guidelines. WACOG Head Start endorses the tenet that each child must be treated as an individual in an inclusive community that values, re- spects and responds to diversity. The program offers a broad range of individualized services in the areas of education and child development, special education, health services, nutrition, parent/family develop- ment. In addition, the range of Head Start services is responsive and ap- propriate to each family's ethnic, cultural, and linguistic heritage. Serving western Arizona for over three decades, WACOG Head Start has a long tradition of delivering high quality services designed to enhance the healthy development of children. The primary focus of WACOG Head Start is children and their families. It is the program's mission to provide the foundation for the development of self-suffi - cient, healthy, caring and produc- tive children and families. Please be aware that applying for the program does not constitute en- rollment in the program. Note: If your child or family has previously applied for Head Start or Early Head Start, please apply in person at one of our Head Start cen- ters and staff will be happy to assist you with updating and submitting a new application. To learn more call (928) 923-9866. The Arizona monsoon season is in effect. We can expect strong winds, dust storms, heavy rain, fl ooding, and other extreme weather hazards to be the norm during this time of year. ADHS recognizes the many health threats that come with the monsoon season. To prepare for these haz- ards, ADHS brought together health safety tips in a brand new monsoon safety page. This page covers a variety of topics such as fl ash fl oods, dust storms, poor air quality, Valley Fever, and mosquito-borne illnesses. Weather conditions can vary dramatically from region to region in our state and it's important to learn about health risks while driving or at home. Dust storms, can increase health concerns related to poor air qual- ity. Small particles, also known as particulate matter, can travel in the high winds during these dust storms. They can be linked to skin and eye irritation as well as respiratory issues. Although Arizona has a primarily arid climate, fl ooding is a real danger during the monsoon season. Arizona's dry and rocky soil does not ab- sorb water well, so fl ood conditions can develop very quickly and without warning after a heavy rain. Find useful information on water and food safety, proper hygiene, and injury prevention during a fl ood. Extreme weather events such as storms and fl oods may also impact the abundance of vector borne and zoonotic diseases, such as from ticks and mosquitoes. This new monsoon page can help you learn how to protect your home and family from vector borne and zoonotic diseases during this monsoon season. Please visit azhealth.gov/monsoonto learn more. The food bank and the senior cen- ter teamed up to hold a Health Fair July 11. It was successful with sign- ing up many people for AZ no-cost AHCCCS health insurance. The health fair also introduced a veterans advocate and AZ Complete Health to Quartzsite. We will be holding another one this fall with free mam- mograms and other services. A large donation of clothes and a group of new shoes were donated to Carol's Closet of which it passes out each week to our clients. The Diaper Drive has collected over 400 diapers! With the communities help dona- tions of food and funds continue to come in even in the middle of the hot summer. A big pile of cans and bottles were recycled with the help of the Alliance Church kids program helping us. July has been a great month for fruit including oranges, apples, grapes, and cantaloupe. A large donation a apricots was received. The Food Bank is still handing out TFAP monthly boxes of food to al- most 400 families and individuals plus bags of donated food weekly to hundreds of people. Our clients included: 82- children under 18 227- 18 to 59 years old 170- 60 to 70 years old 105- over 70 years old 58 are veterans and 106 are disabled members of our community. To donate to the Friends of the Quartzsite Food Bank go to Quartz- siteFoodBank.com Or mail donations to: FQFB PO Box 4051 Quartzsite, AZ 85359 Or stop by the food bank on 40 N Moon Mtn Tuesday & Thursday 8-Noon. Food Bank had a "hot July" Monsoon season is in effect

• Cover