California Children's Services

California Children's Services (CCS) is a statewide program that arranges, directs, and pays for medical care, equipment, and rehabilitation for children and young adults less than 21 years of age who have eligible medical conditions and whose families are unable to pay for all or part of their care. The Public Health Department connects eligible children with doctors, therapists and other trained specialists who know how to care for their special health needs.

Child Health and Disability Prevention

This program coordinates free health and dental check-ups, head-to-toe physical exams, growth and development checks, vision and hearing tests, immunizations, TB tests, lab tests, nutrition information and health education for eligible children. It also provides dental and medical referrals, transportation information, and assistance in making appointments.

Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention

The Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program provides services to prevent and reduce the harmful effects of lead poisoning among the County of San Luis Obispo children under the age of six, as well as other high-risk children. This includes increasing awareness regarding the hazards of lead exposure, reducing lead exposure, and increasing the number of children assessed and appropriately blood tested for lead poisoning. 

Recognition from Board of Supervisors for Lead Poisoning Prevention Week 2023:

Health Care Program for Children in Foster Care

The Health Care Program for Children in Foster Care (HCPCFC) is a state-administered, locally operated program. Public health nurses provide expertise in meeting the medical, dental, mental and developmental needs of children and youth in foster care. In collaboration and consultation with social workers and probation officers, public health nurses provide medical and health care case planning; support in obtaining timely health and dental assessments; expedited referrals for medical, dental, mental health and developmental services; education and more. Public health nurses also participate in creating and updating the Health and Education Passport for every child, and provide psychotropic medication monitoring and oversight. See FAQs and the program brochure (also in Spanish) for more detail. 

Maternal, Child & Adolescent Health

Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health (MCAH) promotes the health and well-being of women of childbearing age, infants, children and adolescents who are at increased risk of adverse health outcomes.  By virtue of financial, language or cultural barriers, or mental or physical disabilities by assuring access to health promotion and health care services. These activities include community assessment, planning, evaluation, outreach, advocacy, education, training, and policy development.

Medical Therapy Program

The Medical Therapy Program (MTP) is a special program within California Children's Services that provides physical, occupational, and medical therapy services for children who are disabled due to neurological or musculoskeletal disorders. A team of licensed therapists provides eligible children with physical therapy, occupational therapy and specialized equipment, such as orthotics/braces, wheelchairs and other assistive devices.

This video shares recognition to CCS MTU from SLO Moment at the Board of Supervisors:

This video shares one participant's story: 

Nurse Home Visiting

This service pairs pregnant women and parents of young children with specially trained nurses and family advocates that promote the health and well-being of families in need of support and guidance. The program promotes improved pregnancy outcomes, nurturing parenting skills, positive child health and development, and family self-sufficiency. Services are voluntary and provided in the comfort of the client’s home or location of their choosing.

Perinatal Mood & Anxiety Disorder (PMAD)

You are not alone. You are not to blame. And with help, you will be well.

PMAD in SLO County

In San Luis Obispo County, 1 in 7 women experiences a perinatal mood and anxiety disorder (PMAD).

This disorder, which includes prenatal and postpartum depression and/or anxiety, affects parents between pregnancy and the two years following birth.

Do you suspect that you or someone you know suffers from a perinatal mood and anxiety disorder? Find out now, learn the signs and symptoms, and get local help.

Perinatal Substance Use Prevention

This Perinatal Substance Use Prevention Program offers education, training, and technical assistance for prenatal care providers in identifying women at risk for substance use, depression, and domestic violence. For those identified as high-risk, we provide comprehensive assessments, education and links to community resources.