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The Healthy Kids Program

A service of the
Community Development Support Association

Why does it exist?
What is the program's goal?
What objectives does it have?
How many services have been provided through Healthy Kids?
What are the major accomplishments of the program thus far?

WHY DOES IT EXIST?

The 1989 Health Survey conducted by the Enid Metropolitan Area Human Service Commission found that the health status of low-income children and youth in Garfield County was seriously threatened by inadequate access to early and on-going screening and treatment services. Only 17 percent of eligible children and youth were participating in the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment Program, known as EPSDT. Few physicians were aware of or participating in the program. The survey also found that many low-income children and youth did not have access to continuing care arrangements with primary care providers.

A Community Health Planning Committee was established by the Commission to address the problem. A community health worker, outposted at the local health department and county DHS office for a one-year period, identified five major causes: lack of awareness, administrative design, provider dissatisfaction, data management, and reimbursement. The Healthy Kids Program was established to address the problem in Garfield county and to replicate the approach in other counties in Oklahoma. Collaboration and local innovation have turned "Healthy Kids" into a pilot demonstration project for the state. The project is designed to make sure children are healthy and growing well - physically, mentally and emotionally.

GOAL:

The goal of the Healthy Kids Program is to protect and improve the health status of low-income children and youth in Oklahoma through a program of periodic health screening, preventive health care, and primary care services. The program is being tested in Garfield County.

OBJECTIVES:

  1. Reshape the way local EPSDT services are administered and delivered.
  2. Increase public awareness of EPSDT and the importance of preventive health care.
  3. Increase provider participation in EPSDT and the provision of continuing care arrangements for low- income children and youth.
  4. Design and implement a computerized client tracking system.
  5. Monitor and evaluate program outcomes.

NUMBER OF SERVICES PROVIDED:

(From the beginning of the program through June 30, 1997)

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:


© 2001 CDSA - Healthy Kids Program
Last Updated: March 17, 2001