Health Care for Children & Youth

Health Insurance

Becoming insured is the first step in being able to access recommended health care and screenings for children and youth.  The Health Department works closely with the Department of Vermont Health Access, Vermont Health Connect, and local schools and community partners to ensure all children have access to health insurance. Here you will find information about how to find a private or public plan (such as Medicaid and Dr. Dynasaur) that meets your needs or budget, and ways to assist families with getting health insurance.

Health Care and Screening Guidelines

The Medicaid program’s benefit for children and adolescents is known as EPSDT. This benefit provides comprehensive and preventive health care services to children enrolled in Medicaid. The Health Department works closely with health care providers and other state and community partners (including schools) to reduce barriers to accessing health care services for children, and ensure families are aware of their benefits and the age-appropriate health care recommendations. Here you will find schedules for when children and youth should receive preventive care and recommended screenings.

Newborn Screening

All babies born in Vermont have the opportunity to receive a newborn screening test to check for rare but serious diseases which may not be apparent at birth. Vermont screens for different conditions which could result in serious health problems, developmental delays, or in rare instances, death if not identified and treated early. Here you will find information about newborn screening, including frequently asked questions, information and resources for families and health care providers, and the variety of programs available to support families.

Hearing Health

Vermont Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Program works with families, health care providers, and community partners to help children receive early referral into treatment and intervention services.  Here you will find information about this program, newborn hearing screening, and services.

Lead Screening

There is no safe level of lead in the body, but young children are a special risk. The harm done by lead will never go away. All children should be tested for lead at ages 1 and 2 years. Talk to your child's health care provider about testing your child for lead through a blood test. Depending on the result, the health care provider may recommend additional testing. 

Resources for Health Professionals

The Health Department works with a number of State and community partners on research, quality improvement, and health care reform activities to have a positive impact on pediatric medical care.  Here you will find resources to support health care providers in providing evidence-based or informed pediatric care for the health supervision of infants, children, and youth.  Many of these resources and activities support or are supported by Bright Futures, Vermont’s schedule and guidelines for receiving age-appropriate health care.