Alabama Begins KidCheck Health Screenings In K-12 Schools

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) -- Gov. Bob Riley has kicked off a plan to expand health screenings to more schools across the state in hopes the healthy students will be better learners.

Riley said Thursday the KidCheck Health Initiative builds on screenings that began several years ago in Bibb and Blount counties and recently expanded to a few more counties.

The Alabama Rural Action Commission will pick schools across the state for pilot programs this fall, with more to be added in the future.

The program will use college nursing programs to check the K-12 students for a variety of health factors, including vision, oral health and heart rate. Then the parents will be notified of any problems, and the program will work with parents to make sure the children can see a doctor.