FAU College of Nursing Students Conduct Head Start Physicals

in St. Lucie County

Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and Adult Gerontological Nurse Practitioner (AGNP) students from FAU's Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing provided health screenings for children enrolled in the Head Start program in St. Lucie County on July 30 and 31. Nursing students from all three campuses – Boca Raton, Davie and Harbor Branch – participated in this community service.

In St. Lucie County, over 14% of the population is without health insurance and more than 13% live in poverty (United States Census Bureau, 2023). Local residents benefit from programs like Head Start which supports families with incomes at or below 100% of the federal poverty guidelines. This federal initiative, managed locally by Child Development and Family Services, serves preschool children ages 3 - 5 from low-income families and helps to prepare them for academic success. Health assessments are an essential part of this program and our nursing students' involvement underscores the college’s commitment to serving local communities.