The Florida Department of Health’s Division of Children’s Medical Services is a collection of programs that serve children with special health care needs. Each program provides family-centered care, using statewide networks of specially qualified doctors, nurses, and other health care professionals.
Title V Program
Supports the health of children and young adults with chronic physical, developmental, behavioral, or emotional conditions through a comprehensive system of care.
Newborn Screening
Florida screens for 37 core conditions and may detect an additional 23 secondary conditions (total of 60 conditions) for early detection and treatment of health issues.
Early Steps
Early intervention system that offers services to eligible infants and toddlers, age birth to 36 months, who have or are at-risk for developmental disabilities or delays and supports families and caregivers.
Medical Foster Care
Provides foster children with complex medical conditions an opportunity to receive care within a family setting, along with training and support for foster parents.
Safety Net Program
Serves children with chronic and serious conditions who do not qualify for Florida Medicaid, KidCare, or are unable to access services, pay for some medically necessary health services.
Child Abuse Protection
Child protection teams provide support, prevention, and intervention of abuse and neglect, awareness of child safety, and the Florida Poison Information Centers.
Additional Programs
Comprehensive Children’s Kidney Failure Center Program
The Comprehensive Children’s Kidney Failure Center (CCKFC) Program provides services to children and youth less than 21 years old who meet the CCKFC Program’s clinical eligibility criteria, using a multidisciplinary approach to care.
Service include:
- Medical evaluations and treatment
- Social services
- Care coordination
- Nutritional counseling
- Educational services
- Dialysis
- Renal transplantation (at transplant centers)
- Post-kidney transplantational services
These services are provided by a network of pediatric nephrology specialists and referral centers, as well as community-based clinics, around the state. The CCKFC Referral Centers are located in Gainesville, Tampa/St. Petersburg, Ft. Lauderdale, and Miami, with satellite clinics at additional locations throughout Florida.
To find out if you are eligible to receive care, contact your child’s primary care provider.
Eligibility
Children under the age of 21 years that meet the CCKFC Program clinical eligibility criteria of less than 75% of normal kidney function for a duration of more than six weeks are eligible to participate in the CCKFC Program.
Resources
Craniofacial/Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate Program
The Craniofacial/Cleft Lip and Cleft Palate Program offers a multidisciplinary team approach to care which may include surgical interventions, dental/orthodontic care, speech therapy and other interventions as needed.
This coordinated care is provided by a team of healthcare professionals who work together to make sure your child receives the best care possible.
Resources
Hematology and Oncology Program
The Hematology and Oncology Program serves children and youth with blood disorders, such as sickle cell disease or cancer. Services are provided through a network of nine centers located throughout the state.
services include:
- Medical evaluation and diagnosis
- Long-term medical management and treatment
- Other related health care services and additional testing for referred newborns with abnormal test results to determine if they have sickle cell disease or trait
Nurses and social workers provide care coordination services for families and assist you in getting services that are needed for your child’s care.
To find out if your child is eligible to receive services, contact your child’s primary care provider.
Eligibility
Children under the age of 21 years with blood disorders or cancer enrolled in the CMS Plan, are eligible to participate in this program. Newborns with abnormal screening test results requiring additional testing to determine if the infant has sickle cell disease are also eligible.
Regional Perinatal Intensive Care Centers Program
The Regional Perinatal Intensive Care Centers (RPICC) work to improve the outcome of pregnancy and the quality of life from birth. These centers provide obstetrical services to women who have a high-risk pregnancy and care for newborns with special health needs, such as critical illness or low birth weight. Regional Perinatal Intensive Care Centers aim to:
- Reduce the risk of serious illnesses for pregnant women and newborns; and
- Provide the best medical care to women with high-risk pregnancies and newborns who are sick or born too early.
services include
- Special care by a medical team of nurses, doctor specializing in high-risk obstetrical care, genetic counselor, and ultrasound technician
- Nutritional education and assessment during pregnancy
If your obstetrician has questions about your health during your pregnancy or the health of your baby you may be referred to the closest RPICC hospital or OB satellite clinic for help. If you have diabetes, lupus, or other medical conditions, you may be asked to see the specialist while you are pregnant. You may also be asked to see the specialist if you have delivered a baby before which was born too early or went to the neonatal intensive care unit after the delivery.
The specialist will make recommendations on how to help both you and your baby be as healthy as possible at delivery.
Services are provided around the state at 11 RPICC hospitals and 2 obstetrical (OB) Satellite Clinics who can provide the highest level of care. The RPICC Centers are located in Pensacola, Jacksonville, Gainesville, Orlando, Tampa, St. Petersburg, West Palm, Hollywood, Ft. Lauderdale, Miami and Ft. Myers. OB Satellite locations for high risk obstetric care are available in Miramar and Crestview.
To determine whether you are eligible for services, please contact your primary care provider.
Eligibility
Women who are currently pregnant with a high-risk pregnancy or are at risk for difficulties with a future pregnancy are eligible to be referred for RPICC evaluation. The referral into this program must come from the woman’s primary care provider, prenatal clinic, county health department, or any other state/federal assistance programs.
Patients with private insurance who do not qualify for Medicaid can still be referred for high-risk care, however payment is subject to individual insurance limitations.