The Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) Program is funded through a federal grant administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration. Its goal is to ensure that all children and adolescents receive appropriate care in an emergency through research, quality improvement initiatives, and a close-knit network of state partners that carry out evidence-based and best-practice improvement plans in 58 states and U.S. territories.
The Vermont EMSC program was established in 1989 when the Department of Health was awarded a Bureau of Maternal and Child Health EMSC Demonstration grant. Since that time, Vermont EMSC has expanded to change with the changing of emergency healthcare, building and participating in injury prevention activities, community awareness raising initiatives, and pre-hospital education. This happens by collaborating with many different pediatric champions across the state – including families themselves. The Vermont EMSC program also collaborates with the New England Emergency Medical Services for Children (NE EMSC) to participate in regional initiatives such as pediatric educational opportunities, pediatric emergency care recognition programs, and injury prevention initiatives.
All of these efforts are important in working toward the primary goal of improving emergency care for every child in Vermont, no matter where they live, play, or go to school.
If you have any comments or questions about the program, or if you’d like to get involved, please let us know by clicking the link below to e-mail vtems@vermont.gov or by calling (802) 863-7313.