Child and Family Health Services
Maternal and Child Health
Welcome to the Monroe County Department of Public Health, Maternal and Child Health Division. This division offers the following services to children and families in Monroe County:
Vision
We will lead our community and New York State in providing innovative, integrated, family centered services. These services will be responsive and cost-effective in achieving improvements in health and developmental outcomes and will have a positive impact on the present and future health of children and families.
Mission
We strive to ensure healthy births and optimal development of all children, including those with special needs. We are committed to respecting the diversity and dignity of all families. Through appropriate and effective alignment of staff, financial resources and community partnerships, we provide public health services that will result in improved health and developmental outcomes for families and our community.
Women, Infants and Children’s Program (WIC)
The Women, Infants and Children’s Program (WIC) is a supplemental nutrition program that serves pregnant, breastfeeding and post partum women, plus infants and children under the age of 5 years.
To be eligible, a woman must be pregnant, have given birth within the past 6 months, be breastfeeding an infant up to 1 year of age or have an infant or child under 5 years of age.
Household income must be less than 185% of the poverty guidelines (determined and published yearly by the federal government).
Learn more about Income Guidelines for WIC.
WIC checks are provided for specific nutritious foods necessary for healthy growth and development. Also provided are nutrition education, general health education and breastfeeding support. Checks are issued to WIC participants for the purchase of certain foods which are available at contracted grocery stores and drug stores. The foods that are covered in this program are:
- milk
- vitamin C-fortified natural fruit juices
- cheese
- eggs
- iron-fortified cereals
- dried beans and peas and peanut butter
Iron-fortified infant formula can be provided for women who supplement breastfeeding or who choose not to breastfeed.
Public health nutritionists provide individual counseling. The importance of nutrition to good health is stressed. Pregnant and post partum women learn about their special nutrition needs and are encouraged to breastfeed their babies. Parents and guardians of children are given information on healthy eating and nutritional needs for growth and physical activity.
For more information call 585 753-4942.
To learn more on breastfeeding click here
Perinatal Home Visiting Program
The Perinatal Home Visiting Program offers services to pregnant women. Each woman who joins the program receives visits in her home from a Community Health Worker. The support and information provided by the Community Health Worker help women to have a healthy pregnancy. Visits are continued until the baby is one year of age. After delivery, the Community Health Worker discusses ways that parents can help their child to grow and develop.
Community Health Workers can:
- Help find prenatal care
- Assist with application procedures for WIC
- Assist with application procedures for Medicaid, Child Health/Family Health Plus
- Make referrals for community resources
- Help navigate the health care and social services system
- Assist with educational and career goals
Community Health Workers provide information about:
- Pregnancy
- Labor and delivery
- Breastfeeding
- Lead poisoning
- Dental Care
- Smoking cessation
- Domestic violence
- Family Planning
- Prenatal substance abuse
- HIV and STDs
- Immunizations
- Child care
- Parenting skills
- Growth and Development
There is no cost to families for this service. For more information call 585 753-5437.
Children With Special Health Care Needs
The Children With Special Health Care Needs Program (CSHCN) is a statewide public health program that provides information and referral services for health and related areas for families of CSHCN.
Children With Special Health Care Needs (CSHCN) are:
- Children birth to 21 years of age, and
- Children who have or are suspected of having a serious or chronic physical, developmental, behavioral or emotional condition
- Children who require health and related services of a type or amount beyond that required by children generally.
The financial component of the CSHCN program is the Physically Handicapped Children’s Program (PHCP). PHCP is a federal grant program under the Social Security Act established to aid states in the provision of medical services for the treatment and rehabilitation of physically handicapped children. The program assures that diagnostic, evaluation and treatment services are available to eligible children. Certain medical and financial criteria apply. The criteria are not the same in every county.
The Physically Handicapped Children’s Program (PHCP) serves:
- Children birth to 21 years
- Children with physical disabilities, chronic illnesses or potentially disabling conditions.
There are two parts to PHCP:
- Diagnosis and Evaluation
Diagnosis and Evaluation (D & E) Services are available to all children who have suspected physically disabling conditions or chronic illnesses. To receive diagnostic services families do not have to satisfy county financial eligibility, but prior authorization must be received. Referrals for Diagnosis and Evaluation services can be made by physicians, nurses, medical providers, parents or the patients themselves. The referral should be made to the county PHCP where the child resides. A child cannot be denied an evaluation based on lack of insurance.
- Treatment
The treatment component reimburses health care providers for services given to eligible children. Inpatient hospital care, physician office visits, durable medical equipment and pharmaceuticals are examples of items covered by the program. Medical conditions covered and financial eligibility are not the same in each county.
All D & E and Treatment services provided under the PHCP program must have prior approval from the Monroe County Department of Public Health. Application for both of the components must be made to the county in which the child resides. Services are provided through approved specialty centers or physician specialists. Health insurance and Medicaid must be billed first. If the child has neither insurance nor Medicaid, then the authorized services are paid for by this program.
For more information call 585 753-5437.
Nurse-Family Partnership
Nurse-Family Partnership is a program for women who are having their first baby. Specially trained nurses will make home visits throughout your pregnancy and continue to visit you until your baby is 2-years old.
Any woman who is pregnant with her first child and meets income requirements can enroll. Women can join as early in their pregnancy as they like, but they must join before the 28th week of pregnancy.
There is no charge for this program.
Nurses will visit every week or two during your pregnancy and up until the baby is 2-years old.
The nurse will help you:
- Have a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby
- Become a better parent
- Build a strong network of support for you and your baby
- Make your home a safe place to live and play
- Get referrals for healthcare, childcare, job training and other support services
- Find ways to continue your education and to develop job skills
- Set goals for your future and help you reach them
For more information Call: (585) 753-KIDS (753-5437)
Family Bereavement
Support for families who have experienced the death of an infant up to one year of age is offered through the Family Bereavement Program. Information and referral to community support services is available.
For more information, call 585 753-5437.
Breastfeeding Peer Counselor Program
Breastfeed your baby! You can do it and WIC can help! WIC Peer Counselors are moms, just like you. They can help you learn about breastfeeding your baby. They can also answer any breastfeeding questions that you have and are available to help over the phone or in person. WIC offers weekly infant feeding classes for you and your family and each WIC site has a breastfeeding library containing books, videos and handouts for you to use. Did you know that you’ll get more WIC benefits if you breastfeed your baby? If you are exclusively breastfeeding your baby (only breast milk, no formula), you will receive additional foods on your WIC checks, such as tuna fish and carrots, in addition to the basic WIC foods. WIC believes that Breastfeeding is Best Feeding!
Breast milk is:
- perfect for your baby. It has over 200 nutrients and it changes as your baby grows.
- easily available. There is no preparation, sterilization or refrigeration.
- easily digested so your baby will have less gas, colic, diarrhea and spitting up.
Breastfeeding:
- can increase your baby’s IQ.
- may reduce the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).
- helps you bond with your baby.
- reduces your chance of developing breast cancer.
- saves you time and money.
Breastfed babies:
- have fewer ear infections and less risk of childhood cancer.
- are less likely to develop asthma, diabetes and allergies.
For more information on breastfeeding your baby or to be referred to a Peer Counselor, please call the WIC Breastfeeding Help Line at 753-5640. WIC also suggests that you visit the following web sites for the most up to date and informative breastfeeding information.
www.breastfeedingpartners.org
www.Breastfeeding.org
www.Lalecheleague.org
Special Children's Services
Early Intervention
Early Intervention (EI) is a voluntary developmental evaluation and services program offered by New York State and administered locally by Child and Family Health Services of the Monroe County Department of Health. EI serves children from birth through 2 years of age and their families where there is a high risk of delay, a suspected delay in development, or a confirmed diagnosis of developmental disability.
A variety of therapeutic and support services are offered to infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families. There is no cost to families for any of these services.
For more information call 585 753-KIDS.
Early Intervention Services
Early Intervention (EI) has two parts: Childfind for developmental tracking and monitoring and Services which provide a multidisciplinary evaluation and, if the child is eligible, the development of a plan to provide services to the child and family. Major provisions of the program include:
- Identification and referral of children at risk or suspected of disability by primary referral sources
- Periodic developmental screening and tracking of at risk children
- Service coordination for eligible children and families
- A multidisciplinary evaluation provided at no cost to parents to determine eligibility
- Individualized Family Service Plans (IFSPs) for eligible children and families
- Provision of early intervention services in the IFSP at no cost to parents
- Delivery of services in natural settings in the community where children of the same age are typically found, to the maximum extent appropriate
The steps in the Early Intervention Process are:
- Referral
- Visit by the Initial Service Coordinator
- A multidisciplinary evaluation to look at the child’s functioning in five areas of development, including the area(s) of concern
- The IFSP (Individualized Family Service Plan) meeting
- Early Intervention services if the child is eligible
- Review after six months/evaluate annually
- Transition to Preschool Special Education (3–5) or to other early childhood services
Early Intervention is administered locally by Child and Family Health Services of the Monroe County Department of Health.
Resources:
Early Intervention Fact Sheet
What Is Early Intervention?
What is Developmental Monitoring?
Transitioning From Early Intervention
If services are currently being provided by the Early Intervention program, and the child continues to need services, there is a transition process into the preschool special education (3–5) system.
The family’s Early Intervention service coordinator is a wonderful source of information concerning the transition process. The process moves in this order:
- The service coordinator discusses the transition process with the parent and gives them a booklet outlining the process.
- With the parent’s permission, the service coordinator submits the child’s name to the local school district to transition in either September, or December depending on the child’s birthday. In rare cases, children can transition in July.
- The parent receives information from the school district and a request to choose an evaluation site. Also, the parent signs a permission to evaluate and sends it back to the school district.
- An evaluation of the child’s development in five areas of development is conducted to determine eligibility for continued services. A CPSE (Committee on Preschool Special Education) meeting is held to determine what services if any, the child will be receiving. Service providers, parents, and the service coordinator are all invited. If in a child care program, parents may request that their child’s early childhood teacher attend.
If it is possible and appropriate, children may continue to be served in the preschool (3–5) system by the same provider at the same location. It is important not to make promises to the parents about services remaining exactly the same. By regulations, the CPSE decides the service plan. School districts do consider parent and provider recommendations, but the final decision rests with the CPSE.
Children whose third birthdays fall between January 1 and August 31 have to transition on or before September 1. Those who have birthdays between September 1 and December 31, usually transition in January of the following year, but can choose to transition in September.
The biggest differences are:
- No service coordinator is provided by the school district (3–5). However, the school district in partnership with parents becomes responsible for any preschool special education needs of the child.
- The Individualized Education Plan (IEP) focuses more on the educational needs of the child in the 3–5 system. The needs of the family as well as the child are considered more in the Individual Family Service Plan for the early intervention system.
- The preschool evaluation must include a test by a psychologist, which looks at the thinking and reasoning ability of the child. It also includes a complete social history.
Transition from Preschool to School Age Programs
If your child continues to need services as they are entering their kindergarten year, he/she will need to transition to a Committee on Special Education (CSE) run by the local district. With permission, an evaluation would be completed and recommendations made to the CSE for services.
Early Intervention Program in New York State
To access more information on the Early Intervention Program in New York State, and view regulations, policies, and guidance documents, please see the Early Intervention website.
LEICC
2008 Meeting Dates
The LEICC will meet January 30, April 30, July 30 and October 29 at the Rochester Childfirst Network, 941 South Avenue, from 9:30 a.m - Noon.
LEICC Monroe County Bylaws
For a complete copy of the Monroe County Local Early Intervention Coordinating Council (LEICC) Bylaws Click the link below.
Download LEICC Bylaws
Education for Children with Disabilities (ECD)
Education for Children With Disabilities (ECD) oversees preschool special education programs with school districts, parents and approved providers. Evaluations and specially planned individual or group services or programs are provided to eligible children, ages 3–5, who have a disability that affects their learning. Funding for these special education programs and services is provided by New York State through the Monroe County Department of Health.
Download the School District Contacts (CPSE Chairs) document (152k PDF).
If a child receives early intervention services as an infant or toddler up to age three and needs special education, the service coordinator will assist with transition planning and making a referral to the Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE). If a preschool-age child (3–5 years) did not receive early intervention services, but has some delays or lags in development, the parent or professionals who know the child, may make a referral to the chairperson of the school district’s CPSE who will assist the parent in completing the referral process. The Committee on Preschool Special Education is made up of the parent, teachers, school district rep, etc.
When a child is referred to the CPSE the parent is given a list of approved agencies that provide preschool special education evaluations. After an approved evaluator is selected and the parent signs a consent form, the child will be evaluated at no cost to the family. A copy of the evaluation report, including a summary of the evaluation, will be provided to the parent and to other CPSE members. A meeting will be set with the CPSE to talk about the evaluation results. If the child is found not eligible for special education programs and/or services, the reasons will be provided in writing. If the child is found to be eligible the CPSE will recommend programs or services (to meet the child’s individual needs) and the location where they will be provided.
Preschool Special Education
This service offers multi-disciplinary evaluations based on suspected developmental delay and educational need. Also provided are special education and/or related services (therapy) for eligible children, 3–5 years of age. Children are referred through their local school district.
For more information call 585 753-5094.
Terms and Abbreviations
There are common terms and abbreviations used in the Early Intervention system. Knowing what they mean is important for any parent with a child in EI.
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
This is legislation that bans discrimination against children and adults with disabilities and requires that reasonable accommodation be made for a person with a disability.
- Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE)
This committee makes decisions about services for children with disabilities between the ages of three and five years of age. The committee is chaired by a local school district administrator. The committee members, including the child’s parents and early childhood teacher (if applicable) consider eligibility using a formal evaluation as a base.
- Individualized Education Plan (IEP)
If it is determined that a child does qualify, an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) is developed. This is the plan that sets out the goals and objectives for a preschooler with a disability and specifies what services will be provided to the child, where they will occur, how often and who will provide them.
- Committee on Special Education (CSE)
If the child is still in need of services as he/she turns school age (5), with parental permission, he/she will be evaluated and the results presented to the local school district Committee on Special Education (CSE). Early Intervention Program (EI). Guided by Federal and State Law, this program serves children with disabilities under the age of three years. In New York State, the Department of Health administers the program and each County Health Department is responsible for local administration. This program has many components and funds some services for the infant or toddler with disabilities as well as his or her family.
- Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP)
If the child qualifies for services an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) is developed with goals and objectives. Law requires that children be served in his or her “natural environment.” This may mean the child’s home, child care center, baby sitter, etc.
- Early Intervention Service Coordinator
Children and their families enrolled in the Early Intervention Program (birth to three) have a coordinator of services. This person helps the family access an evaluation and services and makes sure things are working according to the IFSP. This person is who the parent or guardian can call if they need help or have concerns about an enrolled child.
- Integrated Classroom
A classroom located in a natural setting that includes children with and without disabilities. It must be approved by the State Education Department (SED) and can have no more than 12 children with disabilities.
Acronyms:
Download the acronyms list.
Resources:
