Health Linkages Program

Our Mission
Our mission is to improve the health outcomes for children in Santa Barbara County by increasing access to preventative health and social services.

Our Goal
Our goal is to improve community capacity and the ability of early education, care providers, teachers, and parents to respond to the children's physical and behavioral issues.

What We Do
The Health Linkages Program is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for Santa Barbara County children and families by initiating and strengthening the linkages between the health, safety, social services, and education. Health Linkages is the umbrella organization for several countywide programs and  initiatives including: 

• The Santa Barbara County Children's Oral Health Initiative
• Health and Safety Resources for Early Childhood Education Care Programs
• SBC Promotores Network

The Santa Barbara County Children's Oral Health Initiative

Under the direction of Health Linkages, provides oral health education, identifies dental disease, identifies orthodontia needs and provides treatment services to low-income children in targeted subsidized preschool, child care and elementary and middle school programs in Santa Barbara County. In addition Health Linkages provides support to medical and dental providers to implement fluoride varnish applications within their practices.  The health Linkages program coordinates fluoride varnish application for several school districts, Migrant Education and  special community events. Fluoride Varnish applications are provided two times a year for State Preschools, Children Centers, School Readiness and Head Start programs, and kindergarten students at targeted elementary schools.             

• Annually Serves: 
  • 900 Children in Head Start
  • 900 Children in State Subsidized Preschool programs
  • 500 Children in targeted kindergarten programs
  • 500 Children 0-3 years old
  • 1000 Children enrolled in  Migrant Education or other community programs
  • 188  Free Orthodontia treatment (braces)

Health and Safety Resources for Early Childhood Education and Care Programs

The Health Linkages staff provides health, safety and social support services to early childhood education and care programs. State Preschool health fairs are coordinated and screenings for vision, hearing, height and weight (BMI), dental evaluation  and fluoride varnish application are provided annually and serves 900 children and their families.