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Officials from local family resource facilities came together Wednesday to offer health and education information to parents of young children.
In celebration of Child Abuse Awareness month, representatives from the Marshall County Partners in Prevention team, including Marshall and Ohio county Family Resource Network staff hosted the Mini Monarch Fair, which provided free developmental, vision, hearing and dental screenings for children up to 3-years-old.
Family Resource Networks are local coalitions that assess community needs and develop local plans based on those needs. Partners in Prevention, a grant program associated with both Ohio and Marshall county networks, provided funds for the event, which was free and open to the public.
The early childhood fair, held at the Moundsville Training Center within the walls of the former West Virginia Penitentiary, also included free door prizes related to childcare needs, snacks and face painting for children.
More than 24 auction items were given away to local parents, including car seats, strollers, toys, baby monitors, health items and educational tools. The fair also provided 20 informational booths pertaining to common early childhood issues. Discounts were also provided for Oglebay’s Schrader Environmental Center and the Wheeling Children’s Museum.
Claudia Raymer, executive director of the Ohio County Family Resource Network, said the event is designed to ease stresses and fears associated with raising a small child.
“Raising a child can be an extremely difficult process and we want to provide whatever aid we can to new parents,” she said. “This is a fun way to get important information out to parents help children who may be in need.”