Lynda Bitner won the 2008 Community Action Velma Paris Humanitarian Award, given annually to a government official "who has made outstanding contributions in promoting the principles of Community Action." 

Bitner has worked in many roles with the Region VII Head Start office and partnered with the State of Kansas on Early Head Start initiatives. She helped develop and implement the National Head Start Risk Management process, which helps to identify grantee risk. 

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services also honored Bitner's work in meeting the needs of Hurrican Katrina survivors.

A Fun Day Out

Project EAGLE Community Programs took over 75 mothers, fathers, and their children to the Pumpkin Patch in October. Field trips foster language development through literacy-rich environments, and are an important learning tool that can supplement and reinforce home visiting and classroom learning for children and families.

Improving oral health for children with special health care needs calls for everyone’s support… right from the start. Parents, especially Mom, can begin Day #1, looking in her newborn’s mouth. We always hear parents tell about counting babies’ toes and fingers. The same inquisitiveness is equally important to look in the baby’s mouth.

The parents can see the gums, lips, tongue, and palate.  In most cases, the parts of the mouth will look complete and healthy. If the parents have any questions, this is the ideal time to ask the nurse and doctor for information and advice before bringing the baby home. This early step gives parents permission and encouragement to look in the baby’s mouth and to learn recognize good oral health when they see it.

After the baby comes home and begins nursing successfully, Mom needs to clean the residue of milk or formula from around the baby’s gums. She can use a clean cloth, gauze pad, or a finger swab to wipe in and around the baby’s mouth.

This action has four essential results for a lifetime of oral
health care: