Families in Mesa County are getting a helping hand this week, with free health screenings designed to catch issues early and keep children thriving in school and beyond.

A Big Boost for Families Before School Starts

The Mesa County Partnership for Children and Families is bringing vision, dental, and hearing services together under one roof, hoping to make it easier for parents to tick an important box before the busy academic year kicks in.

It’s happening at the Clifton Community Center on August 14 and 15, running from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. The event welcomes anyone under 18, and yes, walk-ins are fine.

Michelle Reeves, who helps oversee family access for the Partnership, says the timing is no accident. “We know families are busy and this is a busy time of year,” she explains. “Having it in one location and having it accessible to everyone is going to be beneficial for our community and beneficial for the child.”

Partners Stepping In to Help

The screenings aren’t a solo effort. Local health groups are stepping up to make sure the services are both thorough and free of charge.

PrimeHealth+, the organization formerly known as Marillac Clinic, is providing clinical support. Adventure Vision is handling eye checks. The idea is to combine expertise so that a single trip covers multiple health bases, saving families time and potentially money.

It’s the kind of collaboration that’s becoming more common in smaller communities, where resources can be stretched but needs are still high. By joining forces, these groups can reach more people without duplicating costs or effort.

Why Early Screening Matters So Much

Children’s health issues don’t always shout for attention. A child with mild hearing loss might seem inattentive in class. A cavity could make lunchtime painful. Poor vision could lead to trouble keeping up with reading assignments.

Reeves puts it plainly: “Anything with their health challenging them can impact their play or their success in the classroom. And so we want to make sure that they have the best start.”

Research backs her up. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, untreated vision problems affect one in four school-aged children in the U.S. Hearing issues can delay speech and language development, while dental problems remain one of the most common chronic childhood conditions.

How It Works for Families

Parents or guardians can sign up online to reserve a time, but it’s not required. Those who prefer can just turn up. No insurance details, no complex paperwork. The goal is to keep the process as easy as possible.

And unlike some screenings that only offer a quick check and a referral, the Clifton event is designed to identify concerns and connect families to follow-up care if needed. That could mean scheduling a proper dental appointment, arranging for glasses, or linking to audiology services.

In short, the organizers want to catch the problem and guide the family to a solution in the same breath.

Here’s what’s covered:

• Vision testing to spot nearsightedness, farsightedness, and other eye conditions.

• Dental checks to flag cavities, gum issues, or other oral health concerns.

• Hearing screenings to detect possible loss or impairment.

Making Health Access Less of a Struggle

Mesa County covers a mix of urban and rural communities. For some families, getting to separate clinics for each type of screening would mean taking multiple days off work or driving long distances.

By condensing the services into a single event, Reeves and her partners hope to cut those barriers. “It’s not just about convenience,” she says. “It’s about making sure no child misses out because logistics got in the way.”

This kind of outreach isn’t new in public health, but it’s especially valuable at a time when many households are juggling back-to-school expenses, childcare needs, and unpredictable work schedules.

A Closer Look at Mesa County’s Child Health Snapshot

For context, here’s how Mesa County compares to Colorado averages in key areas related to the screenings:

Public health officials say these numbers reinforce the importance of events like this one. While they can’t replace ongoing care, they can plug critical gaps.

Looking Ahead

If turnout is strong, the Mesa County Partnership for Children and Families could look at repeating the screenings later in the school year or even expanding them to other parts of the county.

Reeves says the hope is to create a habit. “We’d love for families to think of health checks the same way they think about getting school supplies. It’s part of being ready.”

Whether families come in for a scheduled slot or just drop by on a whim, the message is the same — a small health check now can prevent a bigger hurdle later.