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SICK & WELL
HEALTH CARE
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PROMOTING
HEALTHY LIVING
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PREVENTING
DISEASE
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ABOUT US
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Health During Childhood
Wilkes County Department offers seven services to for children to live healthy lives: Postpartum and Newborn Home Visiting, Child
Service Coordination, Health Check/ Health Choice Management, WIC (Women, Infants, and Children), Sick Care, Monitoring for
Lead Poisoning and Care Seat Safety Installation and Checks.
Postpartum and Newborn Home Visiting
Registered nurses visit mothers and their newborns in their home within 60 days of delivery. The nurses:
- provide information on mother care after delivery
- provide information newborn care
- offer support to new parents
- makes referrals for community resources and assistance
Child Service Coordination
Children are eligible for Child Service Coordination services if they are younger than five years and are at-risk for developmental delays or if
they have special needs. Other children under age five may be eligible if there are serious concerns about their health, growth, or development.
Under special circumstances some children may also work with a Maternal Outreach Worker (MOW) until one
year of age.
Child Service Coordinators are social workers or registered nurses committed to helping children reach their full developmental potential.
They are:
- Assist parents in monitoring their child's development
- Teach parents what to expect a child to do at specific ages
- Offer free developmental screenings
- Coordinate the efforts by doctors, hospitals, schools and other agencies working for the child's development and health
- Encourage and support parents in building strong families
- Help find answers to questions
- Help find local resources and services
- Make home visits when it is convenient for the family
Families can become enrolled in Child Service Coordination by referral from hospital staff, medical providers, developmental evaluation centers,
daycares, social services and the Maternal Care Coordination Program. The program is completely voluntary and
is free to families. If the child is on Medicaid, the Medicaid program will be billed. For families not on Medicaid, a state grant is charged for the
service. For more information, please call (336) 651-7450.
Health Check / Health Choice
Health Check provides free health insurance to children birth to age 20 for families who qualify. Health Choice provides free or low cost health
insurance to uninsured children birth through age 18 whose families cannot pay for private insurance and who do not qualify for Health Check. There
is no cost to children with Health Check. There may be an annual enrollment fee and small co-payments, based on family income, with Health Choice.
Both provide the following benefits:
The Health Check / Health Choice Coordinator works with the Department of Social Services and local healthcare providers to encourage children to
get preventive care. The Coordinator:
- Helps parents schedule appointments
- Helps parents find transportation for healthcare visits
- Provides information for referrals
- Acts as a resource person for families
- Tracks children to make sure they’re going to Medicaid-approved well-check visits at certain physical and social developmental stages
- Reminds parents each year to re-enroll their children to continue benefits
You can get an application by calling the Health Department and asking for the Health Check/ Health Choice Coordinator. Even children with
one or two working parents earning $37,700 a year or more may qualify. The program also covers children living with grandparents, other family
or friends. For more information, please call Wilkes County Health Department at (336) 651-7450 or the NC Family Health Resource Line at
1-800-367-2229.
WIC (Women, Infants and Children)
Wilkes County Health Department provides nutrition education and vouchers (coupons) for women, infants and children (up to age 5) who meet
state guidelines, including income. There is no cost to this service. For more information, please call (336) 651-7450.
Sick Care for Children
Wilkes County Health Department can provide sick care for children. For more information, please call (336) 651-7450.
Monitoring for Lead Poisoning
Healthcare providers are asked to test all children under six years of age for high blood lead levels for early detection. Lead poisoning in children
can cause learning problems, headaches, anemia, hearing loss, upset stomach, loss of energy, poor appetite and (in very high levels) coma or
death. Environmental Health Specialists perform lead poisoning investigations when a child under six years of age has an elevated blood lead level.
Car Seat Safety
Car seats can be installed or checked most days at the Health Department through the
Injury Prevention initiative. Recalled seats may be able to
be replaced through Safe Kids. Call in advance to make sure someone trained will be available. For more information, please call
(336) 651-7450.
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