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Maternity & Child Support Program

First Steps Program

First Steps is a program involving maternity support services and infant case management. This is done through home and office visits by a team of professionals (nurse, nutritionist, mental health specialist), working with you and your family to help make pregnancy and parenting a positive experience for you, your baby and your family.

If you are pregnant and eligible for medical coupons, you are eligible for First Steps Services. No one is denied service due to inability to pay.

For more information, call (360) 740-1224 and request to speak with First Steps staff.

Child Care Health Consultation

This is a consultation service offered to child care centers and homes in Lewis County. Services include: Infant nurse consultation, CSHCN in child care consultation and general health consultation for children and staff.

What are the benefits of having a childcare health consultant in your child care program?

A CCHC can help improve the health and safety of children in your care by:

  • Teaching child care providers about health and safety issues;
  • Teaching parents/guardians about health and safety issues;
  • Assessing the needs of child care providers and parents/guardians for health and safety training;
  • Meeting on-site with child care providers about health and safety;
  • Providing telephone advice to child care providers about health and safety;
  • Providing referrals to community services;
  • Developing or updating policies and procedures for child care facilities;
  • Reviewing health records of children with special health care needs;
  • Helping to manage the care of children with special health care needs;
  • Consulting with a child’s health care professional about medications;
  • Interpreting standards or regulations and providing technical advice, separate and apart from the enforcement role of a regulation inspector.

For more information, call (360) 740-1224 and request to speak with Child Care Health Consultation staff.

Children with Special Health Care Needs

The Children with Special Health Care Needs Program (CSHCN) serves children who have serious physical, behavioral or emotional conditions that require health and related services beyond those required by children generally. The mission of the CSHCN Program is to assure that children and youth with special health care needs achieve the healthiest life possible.

CSHCN Coordinators are public health nurses who can:

  • Help families access needed services for their child, such as medical care and other
  • interventions.
  • Refer families to health insurance programs and information, both private insurance and the state funded Medicaid program.
  • Help families help each other though parent support organizations.
  • Help with concerns such as feeding, nutrition, growth, development and behavior.

There is no charge for consulting with a CSHCN Coordinator, regardless of family income.

Who Do We Serve?

  • Children birth to 18 years of age
  • who have, or are at risk of having, a serious physical, developmental, behavioral, or emotional condition;
  • who require health and related services of a type and amount beyond what is generally required;
  • who are residents of Washington State.
  • Youth ages 18 and older can get helpful information to make the transition to adult health care.

For more information, call (360) 740-1224 and request to speak with CSHCN staff, or visit the Washington State Department of Health CSHCN website.

Early Intervention Program

The Early Intervention Program provides home visits, assessment and case management services for families with preschool children who are referred by Children’s Administration. A public health nurse provides home safety and developmental assessments, parenting education, and referral to community services.

Services include:

  • A written service plan developed in collaboration with the family.
  • Identification of family concerns and strengths as well as goals and timelines.
  • Referrals to community resources and supports.

For more information, call (360) 740-1224 and request to speak with Early Intervention Program staff.

Foster Care Passport Program

The Foster Care Passport Program is a statewide program in Washington. A local Public Health Nurse gathers all available medical records for high risk children in foster care in order to create a health profile or passport. The passport includes information about medical and dental exams, diagnoses, hospitalizations or surgeries, immunizations, allergies, medications, and counseling. The public health nurse also makes recommendations every six to 12 months for services to manage the child’s health care needs. The foster parent is encouraged to take the passport to all the child’s health care appointments.

For more information, call (360) 740-1224 and request to speak with Foster Care Passport Program staff.

Work First Evaluations

The WorkFirst Evaluation program involves a Public Health Nurse evaluating children with special medical, developmental or behavioral problems. These evaluations are necessary to assist DSHS in determining the caregivers’ level of ability to take part in WorkFirst activities.

Our Services:

  • Initiate contact with the participant after receiving a referral by a DSHS WorkFirst Case Manager/Social Worker.
  • Conduct a skilled nursing evaluation of the special health care needs of the referred child, including medical, developmental, and/or behavioral needs.
  • Conduct follow-up evaluation of the child’s needs when authorized by DSHS.

For more information, call (360) 740-1224 and request to speak with Work First Evaluations staff.