Child and Adolescent Health

Child & Adolescent Health Program

The Child & Adolescent Health (CAH) program promotes the health of children, youth, and adolescents in Black Hawk, Bremer, Buchanan, and Grundy Counties. The CAH program strives to ensure that children receive periodic comprehensive health screening services that include dental screening and education, immunization, and developmental/behavioral screening. The program also provides presumptive eligibility services for children who may appear to be eligible for Medicaid or Hawki, informing services for children who are newly Medicaid enrolled, care coordination services to help family’s access regular health care check-ups for their children through medical and dental homes, and links families to other community-based services based upon needs.

Oral Health

Oral health is an essential component of children’s overall health throughout life. However, many children in our service area do not receive the preventative dental services they need. Through our I-Smile™ and I-Smile™@School program, we provide oral health services for children ages 0-21. Our dental services help fill the gaps through risk assessment screenings, fluoride varnish, and dental sealants. We also connect children and families with dental and medical homes and community resources. Services are provided at WIC, head-start sites, preschools, schools, and the Black Hawk County Public Health dental clinic.

For more information visit the I-Smile page on the Iowa HHS website or call the Black Hawk County Public Health 319-291-2413 and ask to speak to I-Smile Coordinator.

Informing and Care Coordination

The informing and medical care coordination services cover children from birth through 21 years of age who are enrolled in Medicaid (Title 19). Our goal is to ensure all children can receive health care and have access to other resources available in the community. During the informing process, our Care for Kids team assist with providing provider lists for medical, dental, and vision providers, assist in coordinating transportation for medical appointments, answer questions concerning well-child exams and what to expect, and give you information about services such as WIC, child care, food pantry, energy assistance and more. 

For more information, call the Black Hawk County Public Health at 319-291-2413 and ask to speak to the Care for Kids team.

Hawki

Hawki is a program that offers free or low-cost health care coverage for uninsured kids and teens of Iowa working families. Monthly rates are based on income. Some families pay nothing at all. The Hawki coverage is also available as a “dental only” option for children with medical insurance but no dental insurance. We educate the families and help them understand these benefits, and assist them with the application when needed. 

To learn more information, visit the Hawki page of the Iowa HHS website or call the Black Hawk County Public Health at 319-291-2413 and ask to speak to Hawki Outreach Coordinator.

Presumptive Eligibility

Presumptive eligibility (PE) provides Medicaid for a limited time while a formal Medicaid eligibility determination is being made by the Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS). The PE's goal is to offer immediate health care coverage to people likely to be Medicaid eligible before there has been a full Medicaid determination. Families can call into this Program, and we assess their statements regarding their circumstances and income and help them apply for Medicaid for a limited time (PE).  CAH staff are qualified only to do Presumptive Eligibility for children under age 19.

For more information on Presumptive Eligibility visit the Iowa HHS website or call the Black Hawk County Public Health at 319-291-2413 and ask to speak to Hawki Outreach Coordinator.

1st Five: Early Child Healthy Mental Development 

Parents want their children to grow into well-adjusted, happy, and healthy, productive adults. The best place to begin this lifelong goal is when children are very young. In the first years of life, children develop the social and emotional abilities to become self-confident, trusting, curious, skilled with language, and sensitive to others. Over 90% of Iowa families take their children to a primary care provider before age 5. Therefore, primary care providers have a unique opportunity to play an essential role in early identification and treatment for children’s development issues. The 1st Five Healthy Mental Development Initiative builds partnerships between physician practices and public service providers to enhance high-quality, well-child care for a better outlook for the children’s future. Please click here for lists of providers that partner with Black Hawk County Public Health in Black Hawk, Bremer, Buchanan, and Grundy Counties to provide developmental screening.

For more information visit the 1st Five page of the Iowa HHS website or call the Black Hawk County Public Health 319-291-2413 and ask to speak to the 1st Five Coordinator. 

Downloads & Resources
Public health officials from Black Hawk, Linn, and Johnson counties have put together this document to guide staff in these settings toward the best way to prevent the spread of illness among attendees.