What is CATCH Kids?
- “CATCH” is an acronym for Community Access to Child Healthcare.
- We are a nonprofit organization with a 501(c)(3) status.
- We are a Community Partner in the United Way of NE Mississippi.
- Our funds come only from grants and donations. We do not generate an income from services provided.
- We provide FREE healthcare to children from birth through age 18.
- We have community health clinics in 4 locations — 2 in Tupelo; one in Pontotoc; and one in Okolona, MS.
- We have several school-based clinics in Tupelo and in Lee county.
- This organization was created in 1997.
- We are a local organization. We are not affiliated with any other (state or national) organization.
- We serve 3 counties in NE Mississippi – Lee, Pontotoc, & Chickasaw.
- In the last year, we provided healthcare to approximately 450 children and paid for dental care (emergency and/or restorative) for 8 children.
- Over 1,200 children benefitted from our in-school oral health education program in school year 2019-2020.
- CATCH Kids will pay for prescriptions that are written in our clinics or in our partnering dental clinics.
- Our volunteers include physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, clerical workers (at our clinics), & table reps (at community health fairs.)
- Other volunteers help at our yearly fundraiser, which is a race (10 K, 5 K, and 1-mile fun run.)
- The CATCH Kids staff includes: 1) Valerie Long, FNP, Executive Director; 2) Carol Black, Assistant Director; 3) Kathryn Cobb, Admin. Assistant.