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Dane County Department of Human Services |
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Pregnancy and Child Health
Description | General Eligibility |
How to Apply Description
Public health nurses provide education and support for: pregnant women who need help and support during pregnancy and following the birth of a baby; families needing help with parenting concerns; breastfeeding women; and home safety. Services include health assessment, health education, help finding medical care and financial assistance, and follow-up and referral to community services.
Public Health Services are available only to Dane County residents living outside of the City of Madison with the following exceptions: the Immunization Program, Seal Dane Program, Tobacco Free Dane County Coalition, and the Wisconsin Well Woman Program. There is no direct cost for most services. There may be eligibility requirements for some programs and services.
Any application requirements are listed under the specific service.
Allied Early Childhood Initiative - The Allied Drive Early Childhood Initiative (ECI) brings services to children and families in Madison's Allied Drive neighborhood. The ECI focuses on children (ages birth-to-four), and their parents, in families in which parents may experience income, housing, job readiness, parenting skills, alcohol and other drug abuse, or mental health issues, or other issues. The ECI strives to increase families' access to prenatal care, health and developmental screening and assessment, parenting education and support, immunizations and other preventative health care, basic needs assistance, and employment related assistance. This is accomplished by support of a Family Support Specialist who delivers Home Visitation services, a neighborhood Resident Partner who providers mentoring and other assistance, and an Employment and Training Specialist who works with parents and caregivers to overcome obstacles to employment. The ECI is supported by Dane County, Madison Community Foundation, and Wisconsin Partnership Fund monies. For services, contact the Allied Drive ECI Coordinator at (608) 273-6600. Breastfeeding Support Services - the Dane County Public Health Division encourages all mothers to breastfeed their babies and is committed to helping mothers, babies, and families succeed with breastfeeding. Services include support and education via the WIC Program and public health nursing at multiple community sites. Breast pumps are available for WIC clients. For services, contact the Dane County Department of Human Services, Intake Nurse at (608) 266-4821. First Steps - The First Steps initiative promotes healthy children, families, and community in the Dane County portion of the community served by the Wisconsin Heights School District. Examples of the rural northwestern Dane County communities served include Black Earth and Mazomanie. First Steps is focused on all families who are expecting a baby, have a newborn, or have pre-school age children. The initiative seeks to link participants with information and parenting education, as well as, engage parents in an effective community support network. Family support specialist and public health nursing services are available to those who wish to participate. Participants are encouraged to use the School District's two family resource centers as well. There is no fee for services. Community partners include the Joining Forces for Families Initiative and the Public Health Division of Dane County Department of Human Services, Wisconsin Heights School District, Exchange Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse, Inc., Children's Service Society of WI, Meriter Hospital, Sauk Prairie Memorial Hospital, parents, the faith community, local businesses, and others.
For more information, contact Healthy Start - Healthy Start is a Medicaid Program that pays for medical care for pregnant women, babies, and children under 19 years of age. It covers most babies until they are one year of age, even if the family's income increases. Families with health insurance may apply. Healthy Start pays for doctor visits and hospital costs, prescription drugs, delivery of the baby, and health care (including medical, dental, vision, and counseling) for pregnant women up to 60 days following delivery and for children up to 19 years of age. To apply, contact Dane County Department of Human Services at (608) 242-7400. Lead Screening - Free lead screening for uninsurable children 12 months to 6 years of age is offered at Well Child Clinics by appointment. Most homes and apartments built before 1978 have lead-based paint or varnish. Children under 6 years old can easily be poisoned by dust or chips from lead paint. Lead poisoning can be a serious problem for these children. Most children have no symptoms. A fingerstick blood test is the only sure way to detect lead poisoning. For information about services, contact the Intake Nurse for Dane County Department of Human Services - Public Health Division by calling (608) 266-4821. Parenting Education and Support - Public Health Nurses work with community groups, families, and individuals to promote healthy pregnancies and successful parenting in each community. Individual and small group education and support services are available primarily for at-risk families expecting a baby and/or those who have young children. Referrals may be made for:
Services provided include assessment, health promotion and education, follow-up, and referral to community resources. For services, contact the Intake Nurse for Dane County Department of Human Services - Public Health Division by calling (608) 266-4821. Phone referrals may be made during regular office hours. Written referrals may be faxed to (608) 242-6242. Perinatal Care Coordination Services - Dane County Public Health Nurses can help individuals, families, and the community prevent and solve a wide variety of challenges or problems that may develop related to pregnancy and/or after the baby is born. Public Health Nurses can help by providing information about community resources, mentoring people related to effective strategies for accessing health, dental and other resources, and linking people with:
This service is available to pregnant and postpartum women, including those who are eligible for Medical Assistance or Healthy Start, those with special needs, and those who participate in the WIC Program. There is no charge for this service. For information about services, contact the Intake Nurse for Dane County Department of Human Services - Public Health Division by calling (608) 266-4821. Well Child Screenings - Well Child Screenings are complete preventive health check-up services for anyone under the age of 21, who is uninsurable. The screenings meet the physical exam requirements for many programs. There is no charge for the exam. Transportation and interpretive services can be arranged as needed. For information about services, contact the Intake Nurse for Dane County Department of Human Services - Public Health Division by calling (608) 246-4516. Well Water Sampling - The Environmental Health Section of Dane County Division of Public Health does well water sampling of private wells used by pregnant women and children under the age of one year. Well water is tested for bacteria and nitrates at no charge. Water is also tested for fluoride at no charge and test results are used by Public Health's Dental Program related to the provision of free fluoride supplements. For information about services, contact the Intake Nurse for Dane County Department of Human Services - Public Health Division by calling (608) 266-4821. Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Supplemental Nutrition Program and Nutrition Education Program - The Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Nutrition Program is a federal program that provides vouchers for supplemental food and nutrition information for eligible pregnant women, breastfeeding women, postpartum women, infants, children under the age of 5, and fathers or foster parents of eligible infants and children. To apply, contact Dane County Department of Human Services - Public Health Divison at (608) 267-1111.
There is no cost for most Public Health Nursing programs.
Information on childcare services Information on services for children with development disabilities Information on tobacco cessation programs 2-1-1 Information and Referral Database - This link is to the United Way of Dane County's searchable Information and Referral database. This can provide assistance in looking for resources for food, housing, and more. Dane County Cooperative Extension - This link provides information on child development, building strong families, and parenting resources. Healthy Kids Corner - This is a link to the State's web site that is devoted to keeping children healthy. March of Dimes - This link is to the March of Dimes web site which provides a pregnancy and newborn health education center along with information on premature birth.
More information on pregnancy and child health services may be obtained by contacting the Intake Nurse for Dane County Department of Human Services - Public Health Division by calling (608) 266-4821
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Copyright © 2006 Dane County Department of Human Services
