The Bureau of Family Health’s Child Health program promotes the health of Iowa’s children, youth, and adolescents by providing health care services through public and private collaborative efforts. The Bureau contracts with 15 local community-based agencies serving all of Iowa’s 99 counties. Child Health agencies are empowered to develop local health care systems to meet the health care needs of children from birth through age 21 years and their families. The Bureau of Family Health supports services that are family-centered, community-based, and culturally sensitive. The program receives funds from the federal Title V Maternal and Child Health Block Grant Program.
The Child Health program provides presumptive eligibility services for children who may appear to be eligible for Medicaid or hawk-i, and informing services for children who are newly Medicaid enrolled. They provide care coordination services to help families access regular health care check-ups for their children through medical and dental homes. They also link families to other community-based services based upon need. The Child Health program strives to assure that children receive periodic comprehensive health screening services that include the following:
The Hawki Outreach program provides outreach to families in all 99 Iowa counties. Hawki Outreach Coordinators provide outreach to schools, faith-based organizations, special populations, and employees without access to employer-sponsored health insurance.
Resources for Hawki Outreach Coordinators
In order for an agency or subcontractor to become a Qualified Entity (QE):
Agency staff and subcontractors should review the Medicaid Presumptive Eligibility Policy and MPEP Training. Resources such as the application and PE addendum in English and Spanish, FAQ's and MPEP Support Helpdesk Messages, can be found on Medicaid's Presumptive Eligibility page.
The purpose of the child vision screening program is to improve the eye health and vision of Iowa’s children. The child vision screening program establishes a comprehensive vision evaluation effort to facilitate early detection and referral for treatment of visual impairment in order to reduce vision impairment in children.
With input from the Iowa Child Vision Screening Workgroup, the following child vision screening methods are approved by Iowa HHS to meet the child vision screening requirements pursuant to the authority of Iowa Code Section 135.39D for kindergarten and third grade:
A comprehensive eye exam provided by an ophthalmologist or optometrist.
A combination of scientifically-validated screening tools (used together) that includes observing signs of a vision problem (appearance, behaviors or complaints), binocular function, and visual acuity.
A scientifically-validated screening tool (used alone).
Depending on the child’s age and developmental level, a variety of screening tools are acceptable.
* EyeSpy 20/20, EyeSpy Mobile and GoCheck Kids are the only acceptable computer-based and mobile-based child vision screening methods approved at this time. All other computer-based and mobile-based screening methods must be submitted to the HHS Child Vision Screening Program for approval to meet the requirements of the vision screening law. Requests for approval must be sent in writing to the Program Coordinator.
Sloan vision chart
HOTV vision chart
LEA Numbers wall chart
Lighthouse
Computer-based, mobile-based, and camera screeners such as the SPOT screener may be used for children over the age of 6 who have certain conditions making it difficult for them to provide the necessary verbal feedback required when using a wall chart.
For more information about child vision screening or training, contact any of these eye health resources:
