Back to Basics: A Checklist for SLO County Children’s Physical and Emotional Well-BeingThe covid pandemic has reduced the amount of preventive health care our youngest children are receiving. Many parents/guardians have avoided the pediatrician and dentist’s offices, never building habits of preventive care for their children. Preventive care is essential – it catches problems early and even stops problems from occurring.
This Back to Basics Checklist is a reminder for providers and families about the basic health care needs of children ages 0-5. It also includes key local referrals for developmental, dental, and mental health needs. You can support young children by keeping this checklist at your desk as a reminder when talking with families, or sending a copy home with each family you work with. Click here to download the Back to Basics Checklist in English and Spanish.
Dental Care: First Tooth, First Visit
Starting young with preventive care, good habits, and education is key to children’s oral health. With the pandemic, many children didn’t get in for regular cleanings. Now, children are having many more cavities and even root canals. You can help by sharing this delightful oral health care flyer with families and by asking whether their child has a dentist.
If a family cannot find a pediatric dentist that takes Medi-Cal or provides specialty care, contact the SLO County Public Health Department’s Oral Health Program at 805-781-5503 for assistance. For a list of Medi-Cal dental providers, click here. COVID-19 vaccines for young children are here!
COVID-19 vaccines for children ages 6 months and older have arrived in SLO County. Young children can get vaccinated at pediatrician's offices, public health clinics, and pharmacies. (Pharmacies can vaccinate children of ages 3+.) Booster doses for children ages 5 and up are also now available 5 months after completing the primary series.
You can help by reminding parents to talk with their child's pediatrician about the COVID vaccine. Click here for current information for parents of young children from the American Academy of Pediatrics (English/Spanish). Pregnancy/Postpartum Medi-Cal ExtensionDo you have clients who are pregnant or new moms and need health insurance? Medi-Cal and the Medi-Cal Access Program (MCAP) offer Medi-Cal health coverage for pregnant and postpartum women who do not have full insurance coverage. MCAP is for middle-income families who do not have health insurance and whose income is too high for no-cost Medi-Cal.
A new federal law has extended postpartum coverage to an entire year following the last day of pregnancy. Postpartum women can receive Medi-Cal services regardless of income changes after birth, citizenship, or immigration status. This includes postpartum depression services.
During the pandemic, the state extended postpartum Medi-Cal for one year only for women with diagnosed mental conditions. This benefit has been expanded to all postpartum women. Please remind your clients of this important mental and physical health resource! Families can contact their local Department of Social Services office to learn more: https://www.slocounty.ca.gov/Departments/Social-Services/Our-Locations.aspx |
New Pediatric Clinic Accepting Medi-Cal
A new pediatric clinic is open and accepting patients who have Medi-Cal or private insurance. Dignity Health's Pismo Beach Pediatric Center is now open with three pediatricians practicing on-site, Dr. Lim, Dr. Tam, and Dr. Davenport. Parents can schedule appointments by calling 805-549-6915.
Act Now to Keep Medi-Cal Coverage
Medi-Cal members have not had to update their information during the pandemic, but soon DSS will be reviewing each member's status. To keep Medi-Cal coverage, members need to:
1) report any change of address to DSS right away and then 2) return their annual re-determination package when they receive it. Please let people know that this is essential to keeping their Medi-Cal coverage. More information at: cencalhealth.org/dont-lose-coverage. Sign up for our monthly newsletters:
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Looking for basic needs help?Contact an advocate or staff member at a Family Resource Center for support with non-medical needs such as food, clothing, shelter, parent education and navigating social services. A full listing of Family Resource Centers in San Luis Obispo County can be found here: https://sloparents.org/slo-frc-directory/
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Well Child Visits and Developmental Milestones
When young children visit their pediatrician routinely at well-child visits, their doctor monitors their physical and emotional well-being, prevents severe illness with vaccinations, and screens for any developmental delays. For a well-child visit schedule from CenCal Health to give to families, click here.
If a child is not being screened for physical and social-emotional delays, their parent/guardian can:
1) Use the CDC Milestones app to learn about key developmental milestones at each age
2) Call SLO County Help Me Grow at 805-440-1878 for a free developmental screening using the ASQ (and the ASQ:SE for social-emotional concerns)
3) Call Tri-Counties Early Start at 800-456-4153 if they have a concern about a potential delay and would like a full assessment. Click here to download a brochure about the process and reasons to refer in English and Spanish.
You can help by posting and sharing about the CDC Milestones app poster and by referring families to Help Me Grow (referral form here) and Early Start (800-456-4153) when appropriate.
If a child is not being screened for physical and social-emotional delays, their parent/guardian can:
1) Use the CDC Milestones app to learn about key developmental milestones at each age
2) Call SLO County Help Me Grow at 805-440-1878 for a free developmental screening using the ASQ (and the ASQ:SE for social-emotional concerns)
3) Call Tri-Counties Early Start at 800-456-4153 if they have a concern about a potential delay and would like a full assessment. Click here to download a brochure about the process and reasons to refer in English and Spanish.
You can help by posting and sharing about the CDC Milestones app poster and by referring families to Help Me Grow (referral form here) and Early Start (800-456-4153) when appropriate.
The Health Access Training Project is a project of First 5 of San Luis Obispo County which advocates for quality programs and services to support children from prenatal to age five, ensuring that every child is healthy and ready to learn in school.