As families prepare for a new school year, the UH Health Family Care Center is helping
make the transition easier by bringing together school supplies, health services and
community resources at its annual Back to School Block Party.

The fourth annual event was held July 31 in partnership with Boynton Chapel Methodist
Church. K-12 students received free backpacks, school supplies, snacks and dental
kits. Families also had access to vaccines and $20 sports physicals, as well as an
opportunity to connect with Family Care Center staff and learn more about services
available to support their families.

For Neena Arora, M.H.A./M.B.A., assistant vice president and CEO of UH Health Family
Care Center, the event comes at a time when families are balancing the excitement
of a new school year with the rising cost of everyday necessities.

“The beginning of a school year is always an exciting time! However, it can be overwhelming
for the parents or caretakers, especially after basic items, including school supplies,
have gotten more expensive,” Arora said. “The Back to School Block Party is our way
of meeting that moment with something joyful instead of stressful.”

The event is designed to address more than the traditional back-to-school checklist.
By offering school supplies and health services together, the Family Care Center can
help families manage some of the expenses that can accompany the start of a new school
year.

“Our mission is about more than treating health; it’s about removing the barriers
that get in the way of health and stability in the first place,” Arora said. “When
parents are stretched thin deciding between a school supply list and a doctor’s visit,
health often gets pushed to the back burner.”

The event also created opportunities for families to learn about services they may
not otherwise know are available to them. Sara R. Elkins, Ph.D., child and adolescent
psychologist, participated in the event by connecting with families at a booth and
sharing information about behavioral health services.

Elkins said families raised questions about a range of topics that can affect children
as they begin a new school year, including behavioral health concerns, ADHD, stress,
sleep and healthy routines.

“What stood out most was how eager families were to learn about resources that could
help their children succeed both in and out of the classroom,” Elkins said. “Many
families were relieved to learn that support is available at the Family Care Center
and that they don’t have to navigate these challenges alone.”

Creating a welcoming environment for these conversations can help families feel more
comfortable seeking support when concerns arise. Elkins said community events offer
a chance to discuss behavioral health alongside other health services in a setting
that feels approachable and familiar.

“When families can ask questions, learn about resources, and see behavioral health
represented alongside other health services, it helps normalize these concerns and
reduce the stigma that sometimes prevents families from seeking support,” Elkins said.
“We want families to know that challenges with emotions, behavior, attention, or stress
are common, and that reaching out for help is a sign of strength.”

As children return to school, Elkins encourages parents and caregivers to consider
the factors that support a child’s overall well-being, not just academic performance.

“Children’s emotional well-being, physical health, sleep habits, and supportive relationships
all play an important role in learning and development,” Elkins said. “Small steps
such as establishing routines, maintaining open communication, and checking in regularly
about how children are feeling can make a meaningful difference.”

For Arora, the impact of the Back to School Block Party extends beyond the resources
families receive that day. She hopes families leave with a stronger connection to
the Family Care Center and a sense that they have a place to turn when they need support.

“Beyond the supplies and services, we hope families leave feeling a little lighter,
like one less thing on their plate during an already expensive time of year,” Arora
said. “And most of all, I want every family to walk away knowing that we see them
and will always be a place they can turn to, not just for a backpack full of supplies,
but for real support, whatever the season brings.”