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Well Child Center

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Color Your Smile Coloring Contest!

well child coloring contest postimage

Have you heard? Well Child Center is hosting a coloring contest the week of October 17th as part of its 50th Anniversary celebration! The deadline is October 21 at 3:00 pm. You can download the contest coloring sheet here or visit one of the Well Child Center locations to pick one up.

Winners in each age category will be offered a $10 gift card.

Eligibility
Winners will be selected in each of the following categories:

  • Under Age 6
  • Ages 7 to 10
  • Ages 11 to 13

Deadline

  • Submissions must be dropped off at the Well Child Center pediatric dental clinic at 620 Wing Street by 3:00 pm on Friday, October 21st.
  • If no one is in the dental clinic, entries may be slipped under the door of the dental clinic.

Restrictions

  • Only one entry is allowed per child.
  • The following materials can be used: crayons, pencil crayons, markers, or paints.

And remember: Keep your teeth happy, brush them every day!

Save the Dates!

well child center save the dates

Join us for our 50th Anniversary Events throughout October.

October 3: Kick off your week with Well Child Center’s (WCC) virtual fundraiser!

October 3 – 7: Food for Families…. Drop off a healthy food donation at Well Child Center WIC
locations in Elgin or Carpentersville (see addresses below).

October 5; 4:00 pm: Join us for the Food for Families Ribbon Cutting & Champagne Toast at Well Child Center on Wing Street.

October 7: End your week with a smile! Donate to Well Child Center’s pediatric clinic on World Smile Day.

October 11; 12:30 – 1:00 pm; 6:30 – 7 pm: Wanna know more about WIC? Tune in! (Details coming soon!)

October 13; 12:30 – 1:30 pm: Welcome to Well Child Center WIC. Join us for WIC Open House(s) at all 4 WCC WIC clinics. Guests will be able to participate in the “Great Apple Crunch.”

October 14: Our Clients, Our Heroes…. Intrigued? Check out WCC on Facebook and Instagram to be Inspired!

October 17-23: Everyone deserves to smile! Participate in our dental donation to add to someone’s sparkle. We are accepting donations of children’s toothbrushes, floss, and fluoride toothpaste (trial size).

October 17: Show off your artistic skills! Color Your Smile as part of the WCC coloring contest. The coloring contest sheet will be available on the WCC website – download it here

October 18; 12:30 – 1:30 pm: Meet Our Dental Clinic Team at the Well Child Center pediatric dental clinic Open House. Can’t make it in person? Check out the video on WCC Facebook and Instagram today!

October 21: Fundraiser for Comprehensive Dental Exams for Pregnant Women.

October 25; 4:30 – 6:30 pm: Taco Tuesday @ Well Child Center on Wing Street!

October 26: Student Mural Competition Announcement.

October 28; 7:30 – 9:00 am: Public Servant and Partner Round Up—You DON’T want to miss this! Save the Date! More details available soon…

Locations

Well Child Center: 620 Wing Street, Lobby, Elgin, IL 60123
Hours: Monday-Friday: 8:00 am – 4:00 pm

Well Child Center Office/Suite
Location: Aunt Martha’s Youth Service Center, 3003 Wakefield Drive, Carpentersville, IL 60110
Hours: Monday-Friday: 10:00 am – 3:00 pm

Well Child Center Celebrates 50 Years of Service with New Logo, Events, Contests and Fundraisers

well child center 50th anniversary logo

The Well Child Center (WCC), a nonprofit organization based in Elgin, Ill. is hosting a series of community events in the month of October to commemorate its 50th year of providing health and human services for low-income families and uninsured, at-risk children in Kane County.

To visually communicate this Center’s work and longevity, the non-profit is debuting a new logo which will be featured prominently on a large banner in front of the building and be added to all written and digital materials.

“The new logo represents both our achievements of the past and our plans for the future,” says Michelle Esquivel, executive director, WCC. “For 50 years the organization has been helping families receive quality health and human services and we look forward to expanding our reach and scope of services and partnerships to help build a better community.”

Numerous events and activities during the month-long celebration will center around four themes—Feeding Families Healthy and Nutritious Food; Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Nutrition Counseling and Benefits; Children’s Dental Health; and Partnerships and Collaboration.

Additionally, virtual fundraisers will be held throughout the month to support numerous Well Child Center programs and more!

Feeding Families Healthy and Nutritious Food: October 3 – 9

The events kick off the week of October 3 beginning with an official Ribbon Cutting on October 5 at 4 pm to unveil a new food pantry located in the Well Child Center headquarters at 620 Wing Street. The ceremony will include a brief presentation by Esquivel and introduction(s) of VIP attendees; it then will be capped off with a celebratory champagne toast.

Throughout the week, the Center will implement on-site and community-based Food Insecurity Screenings. These will be available to residents of Kane County, and will be conducted by trained WCC staff.

Women, Infants and Children Nutrition Counseling and Benefits: October 10 – 16

During week two, WCC will launch its inaugural Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program Enrollment Week. WIC provides supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition education for low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and non-breastfeeding postpartum women, and to infants and children up to age 5 who are found to be at nutritional risk. It is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and administered by the Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS). WCC is the largest WIC provider in northern Kane County with operations in four locations. To help raise awareness of WIC and its available services, WCC staff and volunteers will actively distribute brochures—available in both English and Spanish, create awareness about WIC support and benefits, and enroll families in the program at its main center, at the other WCC WIC locations, as well as throughout the community.

For WIC current and potential clients, WCC is hosting a “Bring a Friend—Recipe and Storytime” on October 12 to showcase WIC and its supportive programs and to foster community engagement. “Welcome to WIC” Open Houses will be held on October 13 at all WCC WIC locations.

Children’s Dental Health: October 17 – 23

October is National Dental Hygiene Month and WCC has events planned accordingly beginning with a children’s coloring contest. A dental themed-coloring sheet will be distributed at the WCC pediatric dental clinic as well as all four WCC WIC locations, on the Well Child Center website, in schools, and through the organization’s community partners. Submissions must be dropped off at the WCC dental clinic by 4 p.m. on October 21 and winners will be selected within three age groups. Prizes include $10 Target gift cards.

Plus, a fundraiser will be held this week that will focus on support for comprehensive dental health for pregnant women who are part of the WCC WIC program

“Dental visits can be intimidating for anyone and may be more so for those who have not had access to dental care in the past.” says Dr. Chelsea Fosse, WCC board member. “But oral health is so important for overall health, wellness, and quality of life. We hope these activities will help women, children, and families learn about our facility, meet our dedicated team, and empower them to take advantage of the comprehensive dental care offered at Well Child Center.”

Additionally, a WCC pediatric dental clinic Open House will be held on October 18. To educate parents and partners about the importance of dental hygiene and available services, WCC will debut a video—“Meet Our Dental Clinic Team”—on October 19. Access to the video, which will be recorded, can be found at WellChildCenter.org.

Partnerships and Collaboration: October 24 -30

On October 25, community residents and partners are invited to join WCC for Taco Tuesday with an on-site food truck from 4:30 – 6:30 pm. A percentage of the proceeds will benefit the Center.

The winner of a student mural contest, which launched earlier this month, will be announced on October 26. The winner will reproduce their artistry on the entry hallway of the Wing Street location. The final work will be accessible to the public for viewing during regular operating hours. Entries will be accepted until October 7.

The festivities will culminate on October 28 as part of a public servant and partner “round up” at WCC on Wing Street. Board members, partners, and public servants including local police and firefighters, school leaders, Emergency Medical Services personnel, and WCC supporters will be recognized by WCC board members and staff. A food truck will be on site serving coffee and donuts. Other activities also are being planned according to Esquivel and will be announced as plans are finalized.

“We think 50 years of serving our community is a major achievement,” says Mark Ainley, WCC board president. “This series of events allows us to celebrate with our constituents, partners, community leaders and residents.”

More information about WCC and its programs and services and links to donate to the virtual fundraiser(s) can be found at WellChildCenter.org.

Founded in 1972, the Well Child Center is a leader in the provision of health and social services for low-income families and uninsured, at-risk children residing in Kane County. The organization is grounded in one primary goal—creating and maintaining programs and services to help all children thrive with a focus on building, strengthening, and sustaining individual family and community life. Well Child Center—through its staff and board of directors—is committed to improving the lives of children and families through education, counseling, and services in the areas of oral health and nutrition.

Follow WCC on Facebook and  Instagram.

Breastfeeding Myths and Facts—What Every Parent and Caregiver Should Know

Breastfeeding Myths and Facts

Did you know? Breastfeeding protects your baby from certain childhood infections and diseases like ear infections, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), type 2 diabetes and more.
Breastfeeding also has many benefits for the mother. It protects the mother by reducing the risk of having heart disease, postpartum depression, diabetes, and ovarian/breast cancer. Breastfeeding may help mothers lose weight after delivery.

Every mom and baby are different. Breastfeeding or formula feeding is a personal choice, no matter what your relatives, your friends, and/or your doctors say. You will have to decide what is best for you and your baby. Learn more about breastfeeding here, as you prepare for the arrival of your baby.

There are a lot of breastfeeding myths that come from cultural beliefs, personal experience biases, and health professionals’ recommendations. Here are some common myths about breastfeeding.

Myth: “Colostrum is bad and toxic”
Fact: Colostrum—or often called “liquid gold”—is the first milk your body produces after delivery. It looks different in color compared to traditional breast milk. It is thicker and it can come in many different shades of yellow, from deep gold to bright yellow to orange. This first milk is meant to be different because it fights diseases and bacteria around you and your baby when your baby first encounters the world after being out of the womb. Colostrum is rich in nutrients, antioxidants, and antibodies that build your baby’s immune system. Colostrum then will change to traditional breast milk within two to four days after your baby is born.

Myth: “I don’t think I will produce enough milk for my baby”
Fact: Almost all mothers make enough milk for their babies. Breastmilk production depends on the frequency of breastfeeding or pumping and how well the baby’s latching skills are. It is a “supply and demand” process. As your baby continues to breastfeed, your body will get the signal to increase milk production to meet your baby’s needs. To check if your baby is well fed, you can monitor these signs—the number of wet and dirty diapers in a 24-hour period and birth weight regained by 10 to 14 days old. Breastfeeding is not only the mother’s job, but it requires support from family and loved ones as well.

Myth: “I am sick, so I cannot breastfeed”
Fact: Bacteria and viruses do not transfer through milk. Your body is making antibodies to strengthen your immune system to fight off those bacteria and viruses. The antibodies will get transferred to your baby through your breastmilk to build their immune system. For example, if you have the flu, you may want to wear a mask while breastfeeding because bacteria and viruses can spread through the air. There are only a few health problems when breastfeeding is not recommended for the mother, such as HIV/AIDS and galactosemia. Additional information about these and other conditions is available here.

Resources:

Peterson C. All Those Breastfeeding Myths: What Can We Do?. Illinois Department of Human Services. Accessed September 6, 2022. https://multimedia.illinois.gov/dhs/DHS-All-those-breastfeeding-myths-090622.html.
Colostrum. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/22434-colostrum. Accessed September 15, 2022.
Breastfeeding Benefits. USDA WIC Breastfeeding Support. https://wicbreastfeeding.fns.usda.gov/breastfeeding-benefits. Accessed September 15, 2022.

Well Child Center Announces New Executive Director

WELL CHILD CENTER OF ELGIN NAMES MICHELLE ESQUIVEL EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND SAYS FAREWELL TO TRISHA ROTH AFTER 34 YEARS

ELGIN, IL (August 17, 2021) FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Board of Directors for the Well Child Center of Elgin announced Michelle Zajac Esquivel has been named Executive Director for this nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives of children and families through education, counseling, and services in the areas of childhood nutrition and pediatric dental health.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to lead the Well Child Center. The Center is a critical resource for our community, and I look forward to building on that momentum and being a part of the effort to make a positive difference for families and children,” Esquivel stated.

The Board also announced the retirement of Trisha Roth, after providing 34 years of expert leadership for the Well Child Center. “Trish brought the organization through periods of rapid growth with an increasing need for services in the community. All of us at the Well Child Center are saying a fond farewell to Trish for her decades of service,” Mark Ainley, President, Well Child Center Board of Directors said.

Esquivel, a resident of Elgin, previously was Assistant Project Director for the Illinois Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood home visiting program in the Illinois Department of Human Services. She has also served as Executive Director for Educare-West DuPage, a state-of-the-art early childhood school serving under-resourced children and families. As part of her 35-year career, she served as Director of the Division of Children with Special Needs and Principal Investigator and Director of the National Center on Medical Home Implementation in the American Academy of Pediatrics. “We are excited about the energy and vision for Well Child Center that Michelle brings, as well as her support of our holistic approach to serving children and families. Her background in public health and nonprofit leadership will be incredibly valuable to the organization,” said Ainley.

Weaning from the Baby Bottle

When it comes time to offer the cup, what’s the best way to help your baby say good-bye to the bottle? The transition away from bottle can be emotional and slightly terrifying as a parent. Weaning can mark the end of babyhood in many ways. However, many more milestones are yet to come! Just remember that the weaning process is…a process. And starting when a child turns 1 year old will be easier than beginning when he or she is older. 

When should you wean baby off the bottle?  

Pediatricians and Pediatric Dentists say that babies should begin weaning at 12 months – and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends to complete weaning from the bottle by 15 months old. Babies rarely give up their bottles easily – which is why so many toddlers continue use it long past the recommended 12 months of age. 

Why should I wean baby off the bottle? 

There are plenty of good reasons to kick the habit by age 1. Toddlers who continue to drink from the bottle may be filling up on liquids and skipping solids – essentially hindering their appetite for foods and important nutrients. Also, bottles boost tooth decay. Milk contains lactose, a type of sugar, creating an environment for bacteria to grow. And if you’re giving your child juice in the bottle, that’s even worse. Furthermore, because the bottle significantly increases the risk of cavities, the likelihood that your child will have a dental issue also increases. 

How do I wean baby off the bottle? 

Introduce the cup at 6 months old. In the beginning, most of what you serve in a cup will end up on the floor or on your baby, ultimately creating a mess. But by 12 months old, most babies have the hand coordination needed to hold a cup and to drink from it properly. 

Quitting the bottle cold turkey may work for a few babies, but for most, a gradual transition is best. That means phasing out one feeding session at a time. Morning and midday bottles are easier to eliminate than the evening bottle (because most children are attached to the nighttime bottle as an evening ritual before bed). Therefore, as you encourage baby to drink from a sippy cup, begin to drop the morning or midday bottle first then wait a few days (or a week) before you replace the next bottle. Gradually offer more of a sippy cup and less of the bottle. For the nighttime bottle, many parents find it useful to switch up bedtime routines. Do something different, and stress that it is only for “big” boys and girls, while bottles are for babies.  

At age one, doctors also recommend switching from formula to cow’s milk. This can also serve as a natural transition to offer milk in a cup rather than a bottle. 

Most importantly, be patient! No baby will readily hand over the bottle, and weaning is usually the first time your actions as a parent will make your child unhappy. It is normal to struggle, but think of this as your first of many parenting challenges and try to be consistent. If your child continues to cry for the bottle after a few times of doing without and you give them a bottle once again; you have sent baby the message that crying gets them what they want. Weaning your child from the bottle will not happen overnight. Be persistent, working on weaning day to day.