What is the Child Watch Visitation Program?

What You Can Do?As an elected official there are many demands on your time and interest The Child Watchparticipant groups would like to assist you in any way we can in your effort to address some of theproblems of children and families that have been the focus of todays program and tour. Followingare a few suggestions for action that we propose. We hope you will have others.Action Steps1. Keep current on proposed city, county and state legislation that addresses problems of childabuse, low birth weight, infant mortality, and poverty.2. Use your official sources of information.Ask your city health department, county human services or the state Department of Healthand Human Services for their proposals to address these problems in the coming year.3. Visit other programs.Other hospitals and other counties may be addressing problems differently. For example,fmd a nearby county with higher immunization rates and investigate theirstrategies.4. Analyze legislative proposals for the impact on children and families. For example,budget cutbacks in alcohol and drug abuse treatment programs may adverselyaffect pregnant woman resulting in higher infant mortality or more low birth weight babiesor increase the incidence offetal alcohol syndrome.A few examples of specific state legislative initiatives to address issues oflow birth weight babies,child abuse, and the conditions for children in poverty are listed here for your consideration.Medical Assistance Prenatal Care CoordinationThis program provides statewide targeted case management for high-risk pregnant women toreduce infant death and improve birth outcomes for low income women. Funds allocated from thelast biennium will begin serving 25% of eligible women under a new MA prenatal care benefit inJanuary 1993. $1.7 M. would serve 25% more of the eligible women.Prevention of Perinatal Substance AbuseThree programs (high risk pregnancy grants, multidisciplinary prevention and treatment teams andcapacity building to help agencies serve pregnant women and mothers with young children whoneed AODA treament services) are funded until June 30, 1993. Funds will be needed to continueand expand these programs to prevent the birth of children with low birth weight anddevelopmental and leaming disabilities caused by the use of cocaine, alcohol, tobacco and otherdrugs during pregnancy.Prevention of Childhood Lead Poi