253.02 Department; powers and duties.

(1) In this section:

(a) “Children with special health care needs" means children who have health problems that require intervention beyond routine and basic care, including children with or at risk for disabilities, chronic illnesses and conditions, health-related educational problems and health-related behavioral problems.

(b) “Preventive health services for children" includes assessment and appropriate follow-up regarding a child's growth and development, immunization status, nutrition, vision and hearing.

(2) The department shall maintain a maternal and child health program within the division, to promote the reproductive health of individuals and the growth, development, health and safety of infants, children and adolescents. The program shall include all of the following:

(a) Reproductive health services, including health services prior to conception and family planning services, as defined in s. 253.07 (1) (b).

(b) Pregnancy-related services to pregnant women from the time of confirmation of the pregnancy through the maternal postpartum period, including pregnancy information, referral and follow-up, early identification of pregnancy and prenatal services.

(c) Infant and preschool health services to children from birth to 5 years of age, including neonatal health services, preventive health services for children and parent education and support services.

(d) Child and adolescent health services to promote the physical and psychosocial health of children and adolescents, including preventive health services for children, adolescent health services, teen pregnancy prevention services, alcohol and other drug abuse prevention and mental health-related services.

(e) General maternal and child health services, including health education, oral health, nutrition, childhood and adolescent injury prevention and family health benefits counseling.

(f) Health services to children with special health care needs.

(g) Maternal and child health system coordination services that promote coordination of public and private sector activities in areas of the maternal and child health program described in pars. (a) to (f).

(2m) Nothing in this section authorizes the performance, promotion, encouragement or counseling in favor of, or referral either directly or through an intermediary for, voluntary termination of pregnancy. Nothing in this section prohibits the providing of nondirective information explaining any of the following:

(a) Prenatal care and delivery.

(b) Infant care, foster care or adoption.

(c) Pregnancy termination.

(3) The department shall designate a subunit within the division to have responsibility for the maternal and child health program. The subunit shall be comprised of an adequate number of interdisciplinary professional staff with expertise in maternal and child health who will assume responsibility for all of the following:

(a) Planning, coordination, data collection and evaluation of the program.

(b) Providing consultation and technical assistance to local health professionals.

(c) Coordinating the program activities with related activities conducted under the authority of other state and federal agencies.

(4) The department shall collaborate with community-based organizations that serve children, adolescents, and their families to promote health and wellness, and to reduce childhood and adolescent obesity.

History: 1993 a. 27; 1997 a. 27, 164; 2007 a. 20.