Healthy children are more likely to grow up to be healthy adults. Regular checkups give parents and health care providers an opportunity to check children's growth and development, identify any concerns, and treat them early to prevent bigger problems later on.
Child and Teen Checkups is Minnesota's comprehensive child health program for children and teens from newborn through the age of 20 years who are eligible for Medicaid. The purpose of the program is to identify, diagnose and treat potential health problems or conditions and to encourage the development of good health habits.
The Minnesota Department of Health is committed to creating and improving health throughout the state of Minnesota. Health in early childhood can have a big impact on helping families to create their own healthy futures. Well-child health care and preventive screenings support the mission and goals of healthier Minnesotans.
The Maternal Child Health Section provides leadership and information for promoting, improving, or maintaining the health and well-being of women, children, and families throughout Minnesota. The federal Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Block Grant promotes the health of mothers and children, with a special focus on the most vulnerable populations - those that are hard to reach, low-income children with special health care needs and/or racial and ethnic minority populations. This includes improving access to quality health care and needed services.
The early years of a child's life are very important for his or her health and development. Healthy development means that children of all abilities, including those with special health care needs, are able to grow up with their social, emotional, and educational needs met. Having a safe and loving home and spending time with family - playing, singing, reading, and talking - are very important. Proper nutrition, exercise, and rest also can make a big difference. (Refer to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Facts about Child Development)
Bright Futures and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) work to improve the quality of health services for children though health promotion and disease prevention. The goals of Bright Futures are to:
- Enhance health care professional's knowledge, skills, and practice of developmentally appropriate health care in the context of family and community.
- Promote desired social, developmental, and health outcomes of infants, children, and adolescents.
- Foster partnerships between families, health care professionals, and communities.
- Increase family knowledge, skills, and participation in health promoting and prevention activities.
- Address the needs of children and youth with special health care needs through enhanced identification and services.