POMEROY — The Meigs County Board of Health recently approved the transfer of $21,617.19 to the Athens Meigs Educational Service Center (AMESC) with which to improve learning opportunities and the quality of life for Meigs County pre-school and school-aged children.

The funds were generated by Medicaid and commercial insurance billing received for services provided by the Meigs County Speech and Hearing Clinic (MCSHC), which the Health Department coordinated for approximately 25 years. The MCSHC disbanded in 2009 when collaborator Ohio University School of Hearing, Speech and Language Sciences terminated its contract citing economic concerns.

The money will be used by Jena Tenoglia, supervisor of Speech Language Therapy Services for the Athens-Meigs ESC and her team to implement a new speech service delivery model which offers many benefits to children and their families. Screenings, evaluations and speech therapy will be provided at Tiny Tech, New Horizons and Cara Hall Daycare for parental convenience.

Speech related services will be included in enrollees’ curriculum and instruction. Speech Language Pathologists will demonstrate ways that preschool teachers and members of the Help Me Grow staff can assist children in improving their speaking and listening skills. Professional development and support for integrated services, assistive technology and literacy will be provided.

The Meigs County Health Department and the AMESC anticipate that students will demonstrate improved social behaviors, classroom attendance, attitudes and self-esteem and will be given an early opportunity to become happy, positive and productive citizens of the community.

The AMESC operated under the direction of Superintendent Jon Costanzo and serves not only Meigs County, but also contracts speech therapy services to numerous Southeastern Ohio schools. For more information, contact the AMESC at 992-3883.