Connecting children and youth to health services is important in order to mitigate the long-term effects of child abuse and neglect. Thus, it is essential that child welfare professionals understand the resources that are available. Below, find resources on several types of health services important for children, youth, and families, including dental health services; Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment (EPSDT) services; HIV/AIDS care; American Indian health services; prenatal care; teen pregnancy prevention; and Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).
- Dental health services
- EPSDT services
- HIV/AIDS care
- American Indian health services
- Prenatal care
- Teen pregnancy prevention
- WIC
Dental health services
Dental Care
Medicaid.gov
Overview of dental services under Medicaid. While an optional service from States for adults, dental care is required for most Medicaid-eligible individuals below age 21 as a component of the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment benefit.
National Maternal and Child Oral Health Resource Center
Supports health professionals, program administrators, educators, policymakers, and others with the goal of improving oral health services for infants, children, adolescents, and their families.
What Is a Pediatric Dentist?
Healthychildren.org
Discusses the role and training of pediatric dentists to provide child welfare professionals better understanding as they bring children and youth to appropriate services.
EPSDT services
EPSDT
The Association of Administrators of the Interstate Compact on Adoption and Medical Assistance
Provides factsheets regarding EPSDT for professionals and parents. Links to the Medicaid site regarding EPSDT overview, benefits, and State agency responsibilities are also listed.
Early Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, Maternal and Child Health
Offers information about how EPSDT works with public health, families, managed care organizations, pediatricians, and other health providers.
Medicaid Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment Benefit
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
Offers information on the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment (EPSDT) service, Medicaid's comprehensive and preventive child health program for individuals under age 21. EPSDT includes periodic screening, vision, dental, and hearing services.
HIV/AIDS care
HIV
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Provides population-specific information to reduce the risk of HIV transmission and increase access to health education tools.
HIV.gov
Provides an overview of the history and impact of HIV/AIDS, social media tools, information on Federal resources, and links to other organizations providing information and resources related to the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
HIV/AIDS Bureau
Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
The Ryan White CARE Act provides health care for people with HIV by filling gaps in care faced by those with low-incomes and little or no insurance. HRSA's HIV/AIDS Bureau administers the program through hundreds of grantees, who serve 571,000 people each year.
American Indian health services
Fact Sheets
Indian Health Service
Details services of the Indian Health Service, including diabetes programming, behavioral health services, and HIV services.
Indian Health Service
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Provides information on Federal health services available to American Indians and Alaska Natives.
Urban Indian Organizations
Indian Health Services
Connects with regional health services designed to support the health of American Indians living in urban settings.
Prenatal care
Prenatal Care
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Office on Women's Health
Provides answers to commonly asked questions to support individuals navigating pregnancy, including the importance of prenatal care and how to access services.
Prenatal Care and Tests
National Women's Health Information Center
Frequently asked questions and answers about basic prenatal care.
Q&A on Pregnant Women’s Coverage Under Medicaid and the ACA
Chen (2018)
National Health Law Program
Addresses frequently asked questions about the expanded health care coverage for pregnant women offered by the Affordable Care Act.
What Is Prenatal Care and Why Is it Important?
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
Discusses the benefits of preconception and prenatal care in ensuring the health and safety of both mothers and infants.
Teen pregnancy prevention
The Office of Population Affairs
Office of Population Affairs, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Offers free educational materials on abstinence, contraception, sexually transmitted diseases (including HIV/AIDS), and other reproductive health and family planning topics. Some materials available in Spanish.
Pregnancy Prevention
Youth.gov
Explains risks and protective factors associated with teenage pregnancy as well as Federal-level prevention efforts.
Preventing Teen Pregnancy: A Key Role for Health Care Providers
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2015)
Provides information and infographics designed to support health care providers in talking with teenage patients about sex.
Your Sexuality
National Women's Health Information Center, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Provides resources about relationships, birth control, and sexually transmitted infections to support teenage girls in making decisions about their sexual health.
WIC
National WIC Association
Explains how the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children provides nutrition education and access to health-related resources for women and children.
Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service
Explains the purpose of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), which is namely to safeguard the health of low-income women, infants, and children up to age 5 who are at nutritional risk by providing nutritious foods to supplement diets, information on healthy eating, and referrals to health care.
WIC - Women, Infants, and Children
Provides useful resources detailing the coverage and benefits provided by the WIC program at a Federal level.