As an advocate both for community education and for people living with Sickle Cell Disease, the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America/Connecticut Chapter, Inc. offers a wide range of programs and services. The following is a description of each of our major initiatives.

Nutrition Supplement

Infants and children with Sickle Cell Disease face many physical problems. Many of them are underweight. Consequently, physicians and/or nutritionists will often prescribe nutritional supplements for pediatric Sickle Cell Disease patients. But, too often, the families cannot afford the supplements. As a service to these families, who are usually referred to us by Sickle Cell specialists or hospital nutritionists, we provide the supplements.

"The Summer Lunch Program" is another Sickle Cell Disease Association of America/Connecticut Chapter, Inc. nutritional initiative which provides nourishing lunches to all children and youth participating in our programs during the summer.

Patient Financial Assistance

Our Patient Financial Assistance program seeks to ease the financial burden - and, therefore, the emotional and physical strains as well - on families living with Sickle Cell Disease. We offer financial aid, primarily providing emergency funds to patients with Sickle Cell Disease who need help paying housing costs, purchasing prescription medicines, buying groceries, maintaining public utility service to their homes, and similar purposes. Requests for this program are made through a social worker or health care provider.

The I.H. McLendon Memorial Scholarship was established to honor a former board member by providing a one-time, $1,000 scholarship to a graduating high school senior with Sickle Cell Disease who lives in Connecticut and plans to attend college. The Sybil Fong Sam Scholarship Essay Contest awards three scholarships of $500, $300, and $200 to winning high school seniors who meet eligibility criteria. Applications are distributed to all Connecticut high schools.

Counseling Services & Community Education

We have dual objectives in providing both the Counseling and the Community Education services: to emotionally and intellectually support people living with Sickle Cell; and to raise awareness about Sickle Cell Disease in Connecticut.

We gather, screen, prepare, and disseminate a wide range of educational and counseling materials which are designed to educate parents and the public in general on various aspects of Sickle Cell Disease. We also offer videotapes and other literature, including HopeLine, our quarterly newsletter which is filled with information about the Connecticut sickle cell network to our membership, supporters, and sickle cell patients.

We conduct numerous in-service training programs for teachers, social workers, medical professionals and others who work with sickle cell patients; facilitate workshops for community groups; bring educational programs to businesses of all sizes; participate in corporate health fairs; present programs at local churches; service referrals from Connecticut hospitals and health care facilities; schedule and coordinate screenings; and conduct health education classes at high schools.

"Yes, I Can" is our program for children from age 10 to 13 that recruits volunteers to tutor and mentor them as they deal with the many issues associated with Sickle Cell Disease. The program, which serves 10 children over a nine-month period, includes educational field trips, health education, and evaluation.

"Project STEEP," or Skills Training to Enhance Employment Program, is a six week, summer work experience program that allows youngsters with Sickle Cell Disease to earn money while receiving academic enrichment and counseling services.

"Project Round Table," is a support group for adolescents with Sickle Cell Disease which meets on the days they come to the clinic, and provides peer support and feedback, as well as lunch and health education.

"The Community Education and Outreach Project," provides young people nearing child-bearing age with awareness education, counseling, and screening for the Sickle Cell trait.

"Fun on the Farm," is a seven-session program for children from three to nine years old which allows them to visit and interact with farm animals in an upbeat, supervised setting.

"The Hispanic Outreach Project," expands our services to Hispanic individuals and families living with Sickle Cell Disease through focus groups and the preparation of educational materials.

Newborn Screening

Our continued advocacy for the prevention and eradication of Sickle Cell Disease resulted in universal screenings for all newborns in Connecticut. This is vital because early identification means medical intervention and care from infancy going forward. It also means emotional support for the child and the family as they face the challenges and symptoms of the disease.