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The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS)
is working closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in
monitoring the new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‑19) that is causing an
outbreak of respiratory illness worldwide. Visit our website to learn more.
Stay on Track with Vaccines
Since
the coronavirus outbreak, there has been a significant drop in well-child
visits. Holding off on doctor’s visits can delay vaccines, screenings, and
necessary referrals.
For
children younger
than age 2, it is necessary to continue well-child
appointments. Postponing vaccines may result in avoidable illnesses and
disease. Delaying well-child screenings can cause missed treatment
opportunities.
Some doctors offer appointments via phone or video when appropriate.
However, there are times when in-person visits are necessary. If you are unsure
whether your child’s vaccines are up to date, call your child's doctor.
Maternal and
Child Health
The Texas
Department of State Health Services (DSHS) aims to improve the health of women
of childbearing age, adolescents, children, infants, and children with special
health care needs. Our staff supports the development of family-centered,
community-based, coordinated systems of care.
Maternal and Child Health (MCH) is part of the Social Security Act (SSA) which
began in 1935. It is one of the largest federal block grant programs. SSA was the start of the federal
government's support to states to improve the health of mothers and children. In
1981, MCH became a block grant program. This resulted in a merge of seven
categorical programs into a single block grant. MCH has changed over time but
maintains the focus on maternal and child health and well-being.
Recently, MCH has
ranked our priorities based on the needs of Texas. The list of priorities will
support our vision and reflect the needs across Texas. The process includes a
team approach by including MCH stakeholders, especially families. MCH has also arranged
our web pages according to age groups and related programs:
Women’s and Infant Health – Women (ages 18-44) and Infants (birth
to 1 year of age) – see our programs and information about Healthy Texas
Mothers and Babies, Breastfeeding, Women’s and Maternal Health, Perinatal
Depression, Parenting, Provider Resources, Pregnancy Risk Assessment and Monitoring
System, Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee, and related
resources.
Child Health – Children 1 year to 12 years of age – see our programs and
information about MedCARES, Help Me Grow Project, Parenting, and
related resources.
Adolescent
Health – Youth 12 years
to 25 years of age – see our programs and information about Texas Youth Action
Network, our Rape Prevention and Education grant, information for Health Care
Providers, Parents, Teens, Adolescent Resources, and other related resources.
Children with Special Health Care Needs (CSHCN) – Children birth to 21 years of age who
have a medical issue that may impact their health – see our programs and
information about Community Contractors, Transition, Medical Home, provider
information, resources for contractors, and related resources.
The Association of Maternal & Child Health
Programs (AMCHP) is an
important partner in our work. AMCHP is a national resource, partner, and
advocate for DSHS MCH leaders.
Publications
available through Maternal and Child Health:
A Parent’s Guide to Raising Healthy, Happy Children as per HB 1240 enacted by the 81st
Legislative Session. The guide provides information on the development, health,
and safety of a child from birth to five. The guide is only available free of
charge to prenatal care providers, including hospitals, birthing centers,
physicians, nurse midwives, and midwives, who provide prenatal care or deliver
an infant of a pregnant woman enrolled in Medicaid. It is intended to be
given to Medicaid-enrolled women receiving the above-mentioned services, the
father of the infant, or another adult caregiver.
You can download
the guide in .pdf format here:
For a reference
to the Health and Safety Code, Section 161.501-161.502, click the following
link: http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/HS/htm/HS.161.htm#161.501
Information for Parents of
Newborns
According to
Texas law, physicians, certified nurse midwives, direct entry midwives, hospitals,
and birthing centers that provide prenatal care to a pregnant woman during
gestation or at delivery will provide the woman with information on
immunization, newborn screening, postpartum depression and shaken baby
syndrome.
You can get
this pamphlet in .pdf format by downloading it from here:
- English (Revised Jan.
2016) (454KB PDF)
- Spanish (Revised Feb
2016) (6166K PDF)
Or you may order
it directly through the HHSC Warehouse at http://hhsc.mypinnaclecart.com/ or call them at (512) 250-7162 for assistance with your order. The
stock numbers are: #1-316 –
English; #1-316a - Spanish
Safe Sleep For Babies
MCH partnered
with the Department of Family & Protective Services to create a “Safe Sleep
Checklist” and public service announcement (PSA). The checklist can be printed
out for any parent who wants to check their baby’s sleep environment for
safety. Providers may also want to keep copies in their waiting room.
You can download
the booklet in .pdf format here:
Safe Sleep for Babies: Safe Sleep
Checklist
(41Kb, PDF, Viewing Information)
You can view the
PSA here:
Safer Sleep for Babies: Precautions for
All Parents and Infants
(977Kb, PDF, Viewing
Information)
Safe Sleep for Babies Fact Sheet
Creating a safe
sleep environment by placing infants on their backs to sleep reduces the chance
of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). This fact sheet was developed with the
Texas Department of Family and Protective Services to increase awareness and
educate caregivers on Safe Sleep.
You can get the
fact sheet in .pdf format by downloading it from here:
You may order it
by calling the HHS Warehouse at (512) 250-7162 for assistance.
Find more
information about Safe Sleep at the National Institute of Child Health and
Human Development (NICHD): http://www.nichd.nih.gov/sids/
Safe Sleep for Babies: A
Community Training
DSHS and the
Department of Family & Protective Services developed a training for talking
with parents, grandparents, and caregivers about the best practices for safe
infant sleep. This training manual can be used by service providers of all
types. It is formatted in a train-the-trainer style with frequently asked
questions, tips about presenting information to parents, and caregivers and
parent handouts. Topics covered include myths and facts about safe sleep; crib
safety; and how to talk with grandparents, day care staff, and babysitters
about safe sleep. Materials may be used in a workshop or classroom type setting
or portions may be taken for use in an office or home visit as needed.
You can get the
training guide in .pdf format by downloading it here:
Umbilical Cord Blood Banking and
Donation Brochure
HB
709 requires physicians
(and other people permitted by law to attend a pregnant woman during gestation
or at delivery of an infant) to provide the woman with the Umbilical Cord Blood
Banking brochure before the third trimester of the woman’s pregnancy or as soon
as reasonably feasible.
You can get this
brochure in .pdf format by downloading it from here:
You may order it
by calling the HHSC Warehouse at http://hhsc.mypinnaclecart.com/ or call them at (512) 250-7162. The stock numbers are: #6-73 –
English; #6-73A - Spanish
Participating
Cord Blood Hospitals and Banks
Food, Fun and Games: Healthy
Activities for Children in Child Care
In child care,
teaching opportunities abound! Our booklet provides examples of low to no-cost
activities that encourage nutrition and physical activity into daily routines.
You can download
the booklet in .pdf format here: Food,
Fun and Games (7025Kb,
PDF, Viewing
Information)
Or you may order
it directly through the HHSC Warehouse at http://hhsc.mypinnaclecart.com/ or call them at (512) 250-7162 for assistance with your order. The
stock number is: # 1-182
Trainings and
resources available for MCH professionals:
Resources for
Child Care Providers Online Training Modules
Texas AgriLife
offers FREE online courses on topics ranging from safe sleep to
nutrition to breastfeeding. They are relevant for all types of caregivers – child
care staff, parents, teachers, health care professionals. Some courses are
multilingual - available in Spanish and Vietnamese. Visit AgriLife’s website
for a list of all the courses here.
Title V
Fee-For-Service: Prenatal contractors may provide care and bill Title
V for two visits if the pregnant woman is in the process of applying for and
enrolling in the CHIP Perinatal Program application process. Visit our Health
and Human Services Commission’s website here for more
information.
CHIP Perinatal
Information: Current Information can be found on the HHSC website: https://chipmedicaid.org/en/CHIP-Perinatal
Children’s
Health Insurance Program (CHIP): Texas families with uninsured children may be
eligible for health insurance through Children's Medicaid and CHIP (Children's
Health Insurance Program). For more information and to apply, visit the CHIP Website
Raise Awareness of National Suicide Prevention: The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a national, 24-hour,
toll-free suicide prevention service available to all those in suicidal crisis
who are seeking help. Individuals seeking help can dial 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Locate
answers to many frequently asked questions regarding the National Suicide
Prevention Lifeline. Find out more.
For more information about Maternal and Child Health in Texas, please contact
us at:
Texas Department of State Health Services
Maternal & Child Health
PO Box 149347, Mail Code 1922
Austin, TX 78714-9347
(512) 776-7373: Phone
(512) 458-7658: Fax
TitleV@dshs.texas.gov
External links to other sites are intended to be
informational and do not have the endorsement of the Texas Department of State
Health Services. These external links may not be accessible to persons with
disabilities.