Search Results: MCHLine

Annotation: This document describes Connecticut's plan to implement a statewide dental sealant program. It discusses the state's sealant objectives, existing infrastructure, and needs assessment findings on the status of children's oral health and access to care. Topics include findings from state surveys and the Children's Health Insurance Program (HUSKY) on the number of children with sealants, the oral health safety net, the distribution of dentists, and community water fluoridation. Additional topics include the sealant pilot program and sustainability and expansion of sealant programs throughout the state.

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Keywords: Children, Connecticut, Dental sealants, Oral health, State programs, Statewide planning

Annotation: This document covers definitions, medical conditions and access to mental health and substance abuse treatment, reproductive health care, emancipation, HUSKY health insurance (Connecticut's Medicaid program), access to medical records, privacy rights, school based health clinics, privileged communications, mandated reporting of child abuse and neglect, statutory rape, advanced directives and living wills, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Connecticut law on bullying, access to benefits for immigrants and refugees, and utility shutoff.

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Keywords: Adolescent health, Adolescents, Children's rights, Connecticut, Medicine, Patient rights, Reproductive health, State legislation

Annotation: These resources for parents address the importance of oral health and oral health care during infancy and early childhood, with an emphasis on the age 1 dental visit. Contents include a video on toothbrushing, a brochure and checklist on infant oral health, and a guide on early childhood oral health. Topics include how to avoid transmitting bacteria that cause dental caries, when and how to clean infants' gums, when to begin toothbrushing and how to brush with fluoridated toothpaste, how to look for signs of caries, and when to visit the dentist. The materials are available in English and Spanish. [Funded by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau]

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Keywords: Connecticut, Consumer education, Disease prevention, Health promotion, Infants, Multimedia, Oral health, Public awareness campaigns, Spanish language materials, WIC program, Young children

Annotation: These resources are components of a public-awareness campaign in Connecticut designed to build partnerships among health and social service professionals and parents and other caregivers to reduce oral disease in infants and children enrolled in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC). The resources focus on the importance of oral health and on oral health care during infancy and early childhood, with an emphasis on the age 1 dental visit. Contents include a webinar, a program fact sheet and resource list, a map of dental home networks in relation to WIC sites, and referral forms. Posters on infant oral health are available in English and Spanish. [Funded by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau]

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• Program Website

Keywords: Connecticut, Disease prevention, Distance education, Fluorides, Forms, Health promotion, Infants, Multimedia, Oral health, Public awareness campaigns, Spanish language materials, State initiatives, WIC program, Young children

Annotation: These resources are components of a public-awareness campaign in Connecticut to reduce oral disease in infants and children enrolled in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC). The resources focus on the importance of oral health and oral health care during infancy and early childhood, with an emphasis on the age 1 dental visit. Contents include a program fact sheet, a map of dental home networks in relation to WIC sites, a referral form, and a client instruction sheet for fluoride varnish aftercare that is available in English and Spanish. [Funded by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau]

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• Program Website

Keywords: Connecticut, Disease prevention, Distance education, Fluorides, Forms, Health promotion, Infants, Oral health, Public awareness campaigns, Spanish language materials, State initiatives, WIC program, Young children

Annotation: This study evaluates the association between enrollment by pregnant women in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) and birth weight outcomes in the state of Connecticut. The study is based on data collected from singleton birth records in the state and corresponding records among women enrolled in the state's HUSKY A public insurance program. The report presents data on nine risk factors for low birth weight controlled in the research model: Race/ethnicity, maternal age, education level, marital status, parity, previous lost pregnancy, prenatal care initiation, maternal medical risk factors, and tobacco use during pregnancy. The results -- reported in the form of birth weight outcomes -- are based on the enrollment of pregnant women at least 12 weeks prior to giving birth.

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Keywords: Connecticut, Low birthweight infants, Pregnancy outcome, Pregnant women, Public health programs, Research, State programs, WIC Program

Annotation: This document describes state models for addressing each of four components that contribute to an effective early childhood mental health service system: (1) consultation, (2) work force preparation and professional development, (3) partnership, and (4) financing. The document provides background, discusses methodology, and provides findings for the four state models: Connecticut (consulation), Michigan (preparation/professional development), Ohio (partnerships), and Illinois (financing).

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Keywords: Collaboration, Connecticut, Consultation, Financing, Illinois, Mental health services, Michigan, Ohio, Professional education, Service delivery systems, State programs, Young children

Annotation: This strategic plan incorporates recommendations for addressing racial and ethnic disparitiies in low birth weight, and is a revision of the state of Connecticut's original strategic plan prepared in May 2008. The revised plan examines risk factors for low birth weight; examines racial and ethnic disparities; and provides recommendations to address disparities in low birth weight. The plan highlights evidence-based interventions and describes planned activities within Connecticut's Family Health Section to address the multiple health determinants and disparities associated with low birth weight in the state.

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Keywords: Connecticut, Ethnic factors, Health status disparities, Low birthweight, Racial factors, State initiatives, Strategic plans

Annotation: This fact sheet presents information on low birthweight in the state of Connecticut, including statistics on the incidence of low birth weight (including trends), the risk factors, and the costs associated with it. In addition, the fact sheet defines low birth weight, discusses its significance, and lists evidence-based interventions to prevent low birthweight.

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Keywords: Connecticut, Intervention, Low birthweight, Prevention, State initiatives, Statistics, Trends

Annotation: This final report presents findings from Connecticut’s State Oral Health Collaborative Systems grant for the period 2004–2007 to increase entry of children enrolled in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program, as well as other children, into long-term, comprehensive oral health services. Contents include descriptions of the problem and experience to date. Objectives, accomplishments, strengths, and weaknesses are outlined for each project goal. Recommendations for a model dental sealant program and a list of publications and products are included. [Funded by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau]

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Keywords: Children, Connecticut, Dental sealants, Final reports, Oral health, Parents

Annotation: This policy brief summarizes findings on the low utilization rate of oral health services among children enrolled in HUSKY A, Connecticut's Medicaid program, and the repercussions of poor oral health care for children. Topics include barriers to receiving oral health care services, potential solutions, the need to evaluate changes in context, and raising Medicaid reimbursement rates.

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Keywords: Barriers, Children, Connecticut, Health care utilization, Low income groups, Medicaid, Oral health, State programs, Statistical data

Annotation: This manual provides guidance for a statewide network of neighborhood-based community centers and caring family professionals serving Connecticut's first-time parents. The program addresses the challenges they face and works to identify those at risk of harming their children and reducing the incidence and severity of abuse and neglect. Topics include issues in becoming parents and issues addressing poverty, social isolation, mental health, substance abuse, and domestic violence. Contents of the manual are divided into four sections. Section one describes the Nurturing Families Network (NFN) and research and evaluation. Section two provides detail on the NFN program development and implementation; staffing requirements; job descriptions; professional development and training; clinical supervisions; and programs in nurturing connections, home visiting, and the nurturing parents group. The third section discusses working with agencies that mandate services, such as the Department of Children and Families. The final section provides documentation tools and contact information for resources throughout Connecticut.

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Keywords: Child abuse, Child neglect, Community programs, Connecticut, Domestic violence, Family centered services, Family support, Manuals, Prevention programs, Professional training, Program descriptions, Training materials

Annotation: This report documents the oral health status of residents and provides an overview of what is known about the state of oral health issues in Connecticut. The report provides a summary of key findings and discusses state demographics, oral health status, risk and protective factors, and work force and access. The report is a companion document to the Connecticut Oral Health Improvement Plan for 2007-2012 and is intended to provide baseline data on the oral health of Connecticut residents to promote interventions and policies and facilitate monitoring of oral disease trends and improvements to residents' oral health.

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Keywords: Access to health care, Children, Connecticut, Demography, Dental caries, Health status, Oral health, Protective factors, Risk factors, State programs, Statistical data, Work force

Annotation: This report summarizes 4 discussions held by a 21 member panel during 2007 concerning the feasibility of a biobank in Connecticut and the value it might add to the study of preterm births and birth defects. Biobank models; funding sources; possible increases in research potential; affordability, ethical, legal, and social issues; and the likely public and private perceptions of such a bank all receive examination. Findings and recommendations conclude the report.

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Keywords: Bioethics, Budgets, Congenital abnormalities, Connecticut, Genetic markers, Genetics, Low birthweight, Prenatal screening, Preterm birth, State programs

Annotation: This report discusses background information on sickle cell disease/trait along with sickle cell statistics from Connecticut. It reviews best practices for treatment and details a plan for Connecticut to address sickle cell disease/trait. [Funded by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau]

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Keywords: Connecticut, Health care systems, Planning, Sickle cell disease, Sickle cell trait, State programs, Systems development

Annotation: This policy brief is the first in a series about HUSKY A, a state-level program that provides oral health care for children from families with low incomes in Connecticut. Topics include barriers to oral health care for children and improving access to oral health. Graphs and charts are used to depict data on the size and composition of the oral health safety net in Connecticut and on providers of preventive and restorative oral health services for children and adolescents under age 21 who were ever enrolled in the HUSKY Dental Care program. Summary findings and a conclusion are also presented.

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Keywords: Access to health care, Adolescents, Barriers, Children, Connecticut, Low income groups, Oral health, Provider participation, State initiatives

Annotation: This policy brief is the second in a series about HUSKY A, a state-level program that provides oral health care for children from families with low incomes in Connecticut. It discusses utilization and expenses related in 2005 estimated projected fee increases. Charts present data on sample fee increases, the distribution of costs for current fees, the distribution of costs if all fees were raised, and the distribution of costs if all fees except fees for orthodontics were raised. Data and analysis for costs of HUSKY A children's oral health services for all services and modified services are included, and summary findings and a conclusion are presented.

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Keywords: Access to health care, Children, Connecticut, Costs, Enrollment, Health care financing, Low income groups, Oral health, Program descriptions, State programs, Statistical data

Annotation: This report focuses on the question of whether and how pilot welfare reform programs launched in five states -- Connecticut, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, and Minnesota -- affected children's developmental outcomes. The report synthesizes results from experimental studies in the five states looking first at adult economic outcomes that the programs aimed to change and then turning to aspects of young children's lives -- including child care and home environment -- that may also have been changed by the programs. Finally, the report focuses on how children themselves were affected by the programs. The report includes an executive summary and a conclusion. Statistical information is presented in figures and tables throughout the report and in appendices. Endnotes are included.

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Keywords: Child care, Child development, Children, Connecticut, Economic factors, Families, Florida, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Parents, Pilot projects, State programs, Welfare reform, Young children

Annotation: This report provides recommendations and rationales for eliminating racial and ethnic disparities in health in Connecticut. Topics include social and environmental factors, data collection, language barriers, and work force diversity. Statistical information is presented in tables throughout the report. The report also includes a list of policy panel members and other individuals associated with the report, a list of resources, and references.

• English Version

Keywords: Access to health care, Connecticut, Cultural diversity, Ethnic factors, Language barriers, Low income groups, Racial factors, Work force

Annotation: This paper supports policymakers and early child care leaders planning a statewide multi-disciplinary child care consultation system. It describes the concept of child care consultation, reviews the research literature related to its effectiveness, overviews the current policy context nationally and in Connecticut, describes several models and reports lessons learned, and recommends design and implementation considerations in Connecticut. Models described in this paper include: the Multidisciplinary Team (New Haven, CT), Child FIRST (Bridgeport, CT), the Early Childhood Consultation Partnership (CT), Day Care Plus (Cuyahoga County and Cleveland, OH), the Comprehensive Child Care Services Program (in Rhode Island), the Abbott Preschool Program (in New Jersey's 30 highest poverty districts), Head Start and Early Head Start (national program), and the U.S. Army Development System (national program). This paper concludes with specific recommendations to transform consultation "patchwork" into a multidisciplinary consultation system that enhances the quality of early care and education in Connecticut, improves children's developmental outcomes, and is broadly available to and utilized by early care and education programs throughout the state. Appendices include a history of child care consultation in Connecticut, references in Connecticut statutes and regulations, draft position descriptions, and comparisons of models. Endnotes conclude the paper.

• Final Report

Keywords: Child care, Community programs, Connecticut, Consultants, Early childhood education, Federal programs, Model programs, Ohio, Program development, Rhode Island, State programs, Strategic plans