The Office of Healthy Communities works with organizations, public health agencies, universities, other state agencies, and health care providers who provide services to women, infants, children, adolescents, and their families. Here are lists of some services and resources that may be helpful to you.
Adolescent (Teen) Health Resources
National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy
The National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy provides information on national teen pregnancy statistics; research; and resources for teen, parents, professionals, and policymakers.
Adolescent Health Transition Project
The Adolescent Health Transition Project provides education and information through a variety of media and forums on health and life transitions for youth with special needs.
Adolescent Immunization
Washington State offers vaccines for adolescents under age 19 years through the Universal Childhood Vaccine Program. Here is the most recent Adolescent Immunization Schedule for vaccines recommended for teens.
Regional Genetic Clinics
Genetic counseling, testing, diagnosis, and treatment services for adolescents and their families are available through Regional Genetic Clinics across the state.
Child Death Review
Child Death Review Boards suggest ways to prevent the number of unexpected child and adolescent deaths in the state.
Pregnant Teens
Washington State offers health care services, Maternity Support Services, and Maternity Case Management for pregnant women who meet medical assistance eligibility requirements. (Teen incomes are reviewed separately from parental incomes). (Eligibility for Medical Programs).
Health Care for Teens
Washington State offers health care coverage for teens under age 19 years who meet medical assistance eligibility requirements. Teens who do not meet medical assistance eligibility requirements may be eligible for low cost health care through the Basic Health Plan. See http://www.hca.wa.gov/ (click on Basic Health).
Family Planning
Washington State offers family planning health care coverage through the Take Charge program for teens who meet medical assistance eligibility requirements. (Eligibility for Medical Programs). Teens who do not meet medical assistance eligibility requirements may be eligible for low cost family planning and reproductive health services through local family planning clinics.
See your local health departments for information about maternal and child health services in your county.
Talk to Teens about Healthy Relationships
Healthy relationships are about trust, honesty, and compromise. Sounds simple enough, but sometimes kids don't see relationships in such black-and-white terms. Between "I just called to say hi," and "Why aren't you texting me back?" lie many shades of gray that adults can help kids and teens understand.
Teens and Dating
When are teens ready to date? At some point in adolescence most American teens begin to date. This is an important and personal decision. Continued discussion with your teen will help you feel more certain about when your teen should start dating.
Children and Youth Resources
WithinReach: Essential Resources for Family Health Toll-Free Line 1-800-322-2588 (formerly Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies).
WithinReach is a toll-free telephone line for consumer information, referral for maternity care, and other maternal and child health concerns. Services are available in different languages.
ParentHelp123.org
WithinReach recently launched its newest program, ParentHelp123.org. This website helps families find out if they may be eligible for state benefit programs like Medicaid and Food Stamps, and fill out program applications on-line. It provides low-income families with a single access point to free and low-cost health insurance, food assistance and many other resources all in one place, 24 hours a day.
Watch Me Grow Washington
Watch Me Grow Washington sends materials to all parents of children born in Washington aged birth to six. These materials remind parents when it's time for well-child exams and immunizations, and include information on nutrition, growth and development, safety and parenting issues.
Immunization
Washington State-supplied vaccines are provided to all children and adolescents regardless of their ability to pay or their health plan coverage. This site will give you more information on immunizations, including which ones are recommended for children and the most recent Childhood Immunization Schedule.
Healthy Child Care Washington
Healthy Child Care Washington aims to ensure the health and safety of children in child care. Families and professional caregivers of young children find the support they need through Healthy Child Care Washington, a statewide network of Child Care Health Consultants located in every local health jurisdiction.
Oral Health Program
The Oral Health Program in the Office of Healthy Communities provides information about how to find dental care.
Health Care for Children (Healthy Kids Now)
The Department of Social and Health Services has a number of programs that can help families find health care for their children.
Middle Childhood: A Critical Life Phase (PDF)
A fact sheet summarizing health concerns for children ages 6-12 in Washington State.
See your local health departments for information about maternal and child health services in your county.
Children with Special Health Care Needs Services and Resources
Immunization
Washington State-supplied vaccines are provided to all children and adolescents under age 19 years regardless of their ability to pay or their health plan coverage. This site will give you more information on immunizations, including which ones are recommended for children and the most recent Childhood Immunization Schedule.
Local Health Departments
Local health departments across the state have programs to link children with special health care needs to necessary services and programs, including linking families to insurance sources, primarily Medicaid. A Children with Special Health Care Needs Coordinator is designated for each county in the state.
Washington State Parent to Parent and Washington State Fathers Network
The Washington State Parent to Parent organization and the Washington State Fathers Network provide a wide range of information, services, and social connection for families of children and youth with special needs.
Answers for Special Kids (ASK) Line 1-800 322-2588 or 1-800-883-6388/TTY
WithinReach: Essential Resources for Family Health ASK Line, provides Washington families with children with special health care needs local and state resource information on health care coverage, developmental screening, parent and sibling support, adolescent transition resources, recreational opportunities, and more.
Adolescent Health Transition Project
The University of Washington Division of Adolescent Medicine and the Adolescent Health Transition Project provide education and information through a variety of media and forums on health and life transitions for youth with special needs.
Genetic Services: Regional Genetics Clinics
Regional Genetic Clinics across the state offer genetic counseling, testing, diagnosis, and treatment services.
National Organization for Rare Disorders
The National Organization for Rare Disorders is a unique federation of voluntary health organizations dedicated to helping people with rare "orphan" diseases and assisting the organizations that serve them.
Early Hearing Loss Detection, Diagnosis & Intervention
The Early Hearing Loss Detection Diagnosis and Intervention program works to ensure that all infants born in the state of Washington are: screened for hearing loss before hospital discharge or by one month of age, receive diagnostic audiological evaluation by three months of age, and enrolled in early intervention services by six months of age.
Seattle Children's Center for Children with Special Needs
Seattle Children's Center for Children with Special Needs is an information source for families and professionals that provides information and resources, program evaluation and needs assessment, health education and training. The website has an online Resources Directory to assist in finding resources in your area to help you in caring for your child's needs.
Family Resources
WithinReach: Essential Resources for Family Health Toll-Free Line 1-800-322-2588 (formerly Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies).
WithinReach is a toll-free telephone line for consumer information, referral for maternity care, and other maternal and child health concerns. Services are available in different languages.
ParentHelp123.org
WithinReach recently launched its newest program, ParentHelp123.org. This website helps families find out if they may be eligible for state benefit programs like Medicaid and Food Stamps, and fill out program applications on-line. It provides low-income families with a single access point to free and low-cost health insurance, food assistance and many other resources all in one place, 24 hours a day.
Family Support Partners
The CSHCN Program contracts with and supports a number of organizations that provide information and support to families of children and youth with special health care needs, including: Washington State Father's Network and Washington State Parent to Parent.
First Steps: Maternity Support Services and Infant Case Management
First Steps is a joint venture between Department of Health and Department of Social and Health Services. It is a program that helps low-income pregnant women get the health and social services they may need to have positive pregnancy and parenting outcomes.
Genetic Services: Regional Genetics Clinics
Regional Genetic Clinics across the state offer genetic counseling, testing, diagnosis, and treatment services.
CARE Northwest CARE Northwest provides information on the effect of drugs, chemicals and other agents during pregnancy and lactation. This service is available to health professionals and patients throughout the Pacific Northwest.
Office of Newborn Screening
The Office of Newborn Screening tests infants born in Washington State for certain treatable disorders that may not otherwise be detected before developmental disability or death occurs. Testing and follow-up services allow diagnosis before significant, irreversible damage occurs.
Directory of Genetic Support Groups
This directory provides contact information for support groups for a number of genetic conditions.
National Organization for Rare Disorders
The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) is a unique federation of voluntary health organizations dedicated to helping people with rare "orphan" diseases and assisting the organizations that serve them.
Family Village
The Family Village is a website for children and adults with disabilities, their families, and their friends and allies.
Watch Me Grow Washington
Watch Me Grow Washington sends Health Promotion Materials to all parents of children born in Washington aged birth to six. These materials remind parents when it's time for well-child exams and immunizations, and include information on nutrition, growth and development, safety, and parenting issues.
Family Planning
Washington State offers family planning health care coverage through the Take Charge program for teens who meet medical assistance eligibility requirements.
Eligibility for Medical Programs. Those who do not meet medical assistance eligibility requirements may be eligible for low cost family planning and reproductive health services through local family planning clinics.
See your local health departments for information about maternal and child health services in your county.
Talk to Teens about Healthy Relationships
Healthy relationships are about trust, honesty, and compromise. Sounds simple enough, but sometimes kids don't see relationships in such black-and-white terms. Between "I just called to say hi," and "Why aren't you texting me back?" lie many shades of gray that adults can help kids and teens understand.
Teens and Dating
When are teens ready to date? At some point in adolescence most American teens begin to date. This is an important and personal decision. Continued discussion with your teen will help you feel more certain about when your teen should start dating.
Finding a Health Care Provider
For help finding a medical provider, a Maternity Support Services, Maternity Case Management, or Childbirth Education provider contact WithinReach at 1-800-322-2588. The Department of Social and Health Services offers an additional resource for finding a health care provider.
Health Insurance Resources
WithinReach: Essential Resources for Family Health Toll-Free Line 1-800-322-2588 (formerly Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies).
WithinReach is a toll-free telephone line for consumer information, referral for maternity care, and other maternal and child health concerns. Services are available in different languages.
ParentHelp123.org
WithinReach recently launched its newest program, ParentHelp123.org. This website helps families find out if they may be eligible for state benefit programs like Medicaid and Food Stamps, and fill out program applications on-line. It provides low-income families with a single access point to free and low-cost health insurance, food assistance and many other resources all in one place, 24 hours a day.
Health Care Coverage (Follow the link and then click on "Eligibility for Medical Programs").
Washington State offers health care coverage for teens, pregnant women, and families with dependent children who meet medical assistance eligibility requirements. Women and men who do not meet medical assistance eligibility requirements may be eligible for low cost health care through the Basic Health Plan.
Infant Health Resources
WithinReach: Essential Resources for Family Health Toll-Free Line 1-800-322-2588 (formerly Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies).
WithinReach is a toll-free telephone line for consumer information, referral for maternity care, and other maternal and child health concerns. Services are available in different languages.
ParentHelp123.org
WithinReach recently launched its newest program, ParentHelp123.org. This website helps families find out if they may be eligible for state benefit programs like Medicaid and Food Stamps, and fill out program applications on-line. It provides low-income families with a single access point to free and low-cost health insurance, food assistance and many other resources all in one place, 24 hours a day.
First Steps: Maternity Support Services and Infant Case Management
First Steps is a joint venture between Department of Health and Department of Social and Health Services. It is a program that helps low-income pregnant women get the health and social services they may need to have positive pregnancy and parenting outcomes.
Immunization
Washington State-supplied vaccines are provided to all children and adolescents regardless of their ability to pay or their health plan coverage. This site will give you more information on immunizations, including which ones are recommended for children and the most recent Childhood Immunization Schedule.
Genetic Services: Regional Genetics Clinics
Regional Genetic Clinics across the state offer genetic counseling, testing, diagnosis, and treatment services.
CARE Northwest
CARE Northwest provides information on the effect of drugs, chemicals and other agents during pregnancy and lactation. This service is available to health professionals and patients throughout the Pacific Northwest.
Office of Newborn Screening
The Office of Newborn Screening tests infants born in Washington State for certain treatable disorders that may not otherwise be detected before developmental disability or death occurs. Testing and follow-up services allow diagnosis before significant, irreversible damage occurs.
Watch Me Grow Washington
Watch Me Grow Washington sends materials to all parents of children born in Washington aged birth to six. These materials remind parents when it's time for well-child exams and immunizations, and include information on nutrition, growth and development, safety and parenting issues.
Early Hearing Loss Detection, Diagnosis & Intervention
The Early Hearing Loss Detection Diagnosis and Intervention program works to ensure that all infants born in the state of Washington: are screened for hearing loss before hospital discharge or by one month of age, receive diagnostic audiological evaluation by three months of age, and are enrolled in early intervention services by six months of age.
See your local health departments for information about maternal and child health services in your county.
Women, Pregnancy, and Prenatal Services and Resources
WithinReach: Essential Resources for Family Health Toll-Free Line 1-800-322-2588 (formerly Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies).
WithinReach is a toll-free telephone line for consumer information, referral for maternity care, and other maternal and child health concerns. Services are available in different languages.
ParentHelp123.org
WithinReach recently launched its newest program, ParentHelp123.org. This website helps families find out if they may be eligible for state benefit programs like Medicaid and Food Stamps, and fill out program applications on-line. It provides low-income families with a single access point to free and low-cost health insurance, food assistance and many other resources all in one place, 24 hours a day.
Pregnant & Parenting Recovery Services
An online resource finder for those who are pregnant and/or parenting. It includes various resources across the state to assist the birthing and parenting community with their needs.
First Steps: Maternity Support Services and Infant Case Management
First Steps is a joint venture between Department of Health and Department of Social and Health Services. It is a program that helps low-income pregnant women get the health and social services they may need to have positive pregnancy and parenting outcomes.
Immunizations and Pregnancy
A list of resources for information about vaccines for adults, including pregnant women, is available from the Department of Health's Immunization Program.
March of Dimes at 1-888-MODIMES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
March of Dimes and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have information about the importance of folic acid to prevent birth defects. All women who could possibly become pregnant should consume 400 micrograms (or 0.4mg) of folic acid (an essential B vitamin) every day before pregnancy. Folic acid can be found in certain healthy foods, enriched grain products and multivitamin pills. Health care providers have more information.
Genetic Services: Regional Genetics Clinics
Regional Genetic Clinics across the state offer genetic counseling, testing, diagnosis, and treatment services.
CARE Northwest
CARE Northwest provides information on the effect of drugs, chemicals and other agents during pregnancy and lactation. This service is available to health professionals and patients throughout the Pacific Northwest.
Office of Newborn Screening
The Office of Newborn Screening tests infants born in Washington State for certain treatable disorders that may not otherwise be detected before developmental disability or death occurs. Testing and follow-up services allow diagnosis before significant, irreversible damage occurs.
Early Hearing Loss Detection, Diagnosis & Intervention
The Early Hearing Loss Detection Diagnosis and Intervention program works to ensure that all infants born in the state of Washington are: screened for hearing loss before hospital discharge or by one month of age, receive diagnostic audiological evaluation by three months of age, and enrolled in early intervention services by six months of age.
Watch Me Grow Washington
Watch Me Grow Washington mailings include messages about birth spacing and family planning. These messages help women achieve planned pregnancies that are spaced for the best outcomes.
See your local health departments for information about maternal and child health services in your county.
Dental Care & Pregnancy - Your Complete Guide covering dental care while trying to conceive, during and post pregnancy.