Maternal and Child Health

Public health nurses, dietitians, social workers and community workers provide prevention and early intervention services to eligible women, children and families in Okanogan County. The following programs are part of the Community Health Services. Call (509) 422-7140.
 

Child Care Program – Childcare centers licensed to care for at least four infants receive consultation about health and safety practices, growth, development and nurturing.

Children with Special Health Care Needs Program (CSHCN) – provides nursing consultation for families with children that have special needs. Referrals, information on specific diagnoses, advocacy and care coordination with other services.

Early Intervention Program (EIP) – Children and families identified by Child Protective Services are served by public health nurses through home visits and case management. Parenting skills and child development education are provided, along with access to childcare and other resources through the CPS system.

First Steps – This statewide program was created in 1989 to help pregnant women get the health and social services they may need to be a healthy mom and to have a healthy baby. Medicaid-eligible pregnant and postpartum women receive maternity support services and case management from the First Steps team. High-risk pregnant/parenting women – teens, homeless, and women using alcohol or drugs -- are connected to additional health and health care resources in the community. Apply for First Steps through your local DSHS Community Services Office. Call (509) 422-7140 for more information about Okanogan County Public Health’s First Steps program or click the following Self Referral Form, fill it our and send it to us .  !st Steps Self Referral Form

General Field/Public Health Nursing – Public health nurses provide specialized nursing assessments covering a variety of health and safety issues for infants, toddlers, pregnant and parenting women and teens, single fathers, developmentally delayed parents, premature infants, children with special health care needs and families at risk.

Passport Program – Children placed in foster homes for longer than 30 days are referred by the Division of Child & Family Services (DCFS) to public health nurses who gather, review, analyze and track the medical history of each child. Each child’s “passport” is assessed every six months; healthcare is recommended to the foster parent and DCSF caseworker.