August 20, 2013 Report on Mayor's Back 2 School Fest; and Report on Mayor's Back 2 School Fest Mayor Annise Parker welcomed thousands of pre-registered students and their families to the Third Annual Mayor's Back 2 School Fest on Saturday, August 10, 2013. Participation in the fest was by advance registration only, so families who were not able to pre-register to participate in the event are encouraged to call the 2-1-1 United Way Helpline for referrals to community agencies offering back-to-school supplies and resources. The event's purpose was to aid economically disadvantaged students grades kindergarten - fifth grade who reside in the City of Houston prepare for the new school year. Mayor Parker specifically sought a university campus venue for the fest in order to introduce students and families to a college setting and encourage them to start preparing and planning for college. All services and offerings were provided free of charge and gave participants a chance to meet with City of Houston agencies, University of Houston colleges and community services and resources. Blue Cross Blue Shield Care Van medical staff administered immunizations to students. Houston Food Bank and Target Hunger provided supplies of nonperishable food to families in attendance. The event culminated with students entering Hofheinz pavilion and receiving their backpacks filled with an assortment of schools supplies. Joining Mayor Parker for the opening ceremony and ribbon-cutting were Fest presenting sponsor Shell Oil Company and Motiva Enterprises LLC, host University of Houston, donors, participating agencies, volunteers and Houston City Council officials. The City of Houston is grateful to all of its sponsors, volunteers and exhibitors for making this event a success! Third Annual Mayor's Back 2 School Fest Sponsors
The Houston Department of Health and Human Services (HDHHS) recommends that young adults enroll in ImmTrac, the Texas immunization registry, as soon as they turn 18. A signed consent form allows ImmTrac to store the shot records of high school seniors through adulthood and prevents the purging of their immunization data once they reach their 19th birthday. Signing a consent form is especially important for graduating students who will have to show their shot record to enroll in college or training programs, join the armed forces and the health care field or travel abroad. It guarantees that their confidential immunization records will remain available to them and their doctors who participate in ImmTrac. ImmTrac is a free, secure and confidential registry available to all Texans through the Texas Department of State Health Services. It safely consolidates and stores immunization information electronically in one centralized system. The registry's database is only accessible to health department personnel and health care providers and schools that register as authorized ImmTrac users. ImmTrac is one the many tools used by HDHHS to increase Houston's vaccination coverage. High vaccination rates help prevent spread of disease, outbreaks and epidemics. Parents/guardians and/or young adults can obtain the ImmTrac consent forms through their family's doctor, at www.immtrac.com or obtain a print out of the electronic immunization record from their doctor or local health department. For more information call HDHHS at 832.393.4740 or visit https://www.houstonhealth.org/.
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