DEPARTMENT: Public Health
FILE TYPE: Regular Information
TITLE
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Update On Child And Teen Checkups Program
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Receive an update on Child and Teen Checkups (C&TC) program.
SUMMARY
Pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 375A.04, the Dakota County Board of Commissioners is, and performs the duties and exercises the powers of, a community health board under Minn. Stat. ch. 145A, including the responsibility to prevent disease and to promote and protect the public health of Dakota County residents.
The C&TC program focuses on providing access to preventative medical and dental care for Medical Assistance (MA) eligible children from birth through age 20. C&TC is Minnesota’s Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment (EPSDT) program, a required service for children enrolled in MA under Title XIX of the Social Security Act. C&TC is funded through an annual award from a Department of Human Services grant based on a formula of $26.50 per MA eligible child.
In 2024, there were 31,597 children in Dakota County who were medical assistance eligible. The County was awarded grant funds in the amount of $837,320, which supported 7.75 County full-time equivalents (FTEs) and the required grant expenses. In addition to the grant funds, $191,118 of levy funds were utilized to provide an additional 1.7 FTE, which aided in the completion of required Child and Teen Checkups services and additional public health programming. The total levy and grant FTE for Child and Teen Checkups is 9.45 FTE resulting in $32.55 per eligible child.
The program is comprised of two components: clinical services, which includes comprehensive well-child medical visits and biannual dental visits at contracted clinics, and administrative services, which provide education, outreach, and connection to community resources.
The C&TC team consists of Public Health Nurses, Community Health Workers, and administration staff who conduct administrative services via individual, community, and clinic outreach. Individual outreach involves letters and phone calls to inform families about the benefits of preventative care, assistance with clinic access, and available insurance resources, which include transportation, interpreter services, and connection to community resources. Community outreach occurs countywide consisting of health education at events such as health fairs, safety camps, and classroom education, and connection to medical and dental clinics. Clinic outreach ensures providers understand the required components of a complete Child and Teen Checkup, any pertinent annual updates, and local community resources. Clinic outreach occurs through quarterly e-newsletter, virtual, and in-person visits.
C&TC collaborates with internal and external partners to share health information, promote preventative care, increase access to care, and raise awareness of available community resources.
OUTCOMES
How much?
• 32,307 children eligible for Child and Teen Checkups in 2024.
How well?
• 39,442 letters and almost 6,000 phone calls made to MA eligible families to increase access to preventable medical and dental care.
• 19,000 community resource guides dispersed into the Dakota County community via internal and external partners.
• Staff attended 140 community events with almost 9,000 participants providing information, resources, and connection related to preventative medical and dental care.
Is anyone better off?
• Assisted over 560 families to connect to a dental clinic and dental health care benefits through individual outreach.
• Gave out 1,117 oral health kits, education, and dental clinic information to children and adults in Dakota County.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Information only; no action requested.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
None.
☒ None ☐ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
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Information only; no action requested.
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
None.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: Presentation Slides
BOARD GOALS
☒ Thriving People ☐ A Healthy Environment with Quality Natural Resources
☐ A Successful Place for Business and Jobs ☐ Excellence in Public Service
CONTACTS
Department Head: Gina Pistulka
Author: Jen Odegard