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Child and Teen Checkups Newsletter |
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April 2025
View this as a webpage
In this edition:
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Child and Teen Checkups (C&TC) Coordinators: please forward this email to your clinic contacts.
- What is a key difference between "health equity" and "health equality?"
A. Health equity focuses on fairness and addressing inequalities, while health equality focuses on providing the same resources to everyone.
B. Health equity means giving more health care to those who can afford it, while health equality focuses on equal treatment.
C. There is no difference; they mean the same thing.
- True or false: Achieving health equity is important for all people and requires a systemic approach to making sure people and communities have access to what they need to be healthy.
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Second Wednesday of each month from 9-9:30 a.m.
Join the Minnesota Departments of Human Services (DHS) and Health (MDH) C&TC program for optional virtual office hours to ask questions, get program support, engage in peer sharing, and strengthen relationships.
Register and submit your questions for our April, May, and June sessions.
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Minnesota DHS will add the following recommended components of care to the Minnesota C&TC Schedule of Age-Related Screening Standards (DHS-3379) effective Oct. 1:
- Syphilis screening at least once for young adults 18 years and older
- Suicide risk screening beginning at age 12 years
The American Academy of Pediatrics' Recommendations for Preventive Pediatric Health Care Bright Futures Periodicity Schedule, U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and MDH recommend these updates. You are strongly encouraged to complete the recommended components as part of a C&TC visit.
Relevant publications will be updated to reflect this change. Fact sheets will be available on the MDH Child and Teen Checkups Fact Sheets webpage July 1, giving clinics time to review procedures and update protocols as needed before Oct. 1.
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The 2023 Legislature made MinnesotaCare more inclusive by removing immigration status as a barrier. DHS opened MinnesotaCare to undocumented people living in the state. Resources are available on the DHS Tools for Partners website.
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The MDH lead poisoning prevention program updated the 2025 childhood blood lead guidelines. New guidelines reflect changes in Minnesota Statues.
Medical follow-up and case management is recommended for children under 18 years with blood lead levels of 3.5 mcg/dL or higher, and environmental risk assessments are required for children with blood lead levels of 5.0 mcg/dL or greater on a venous sample. Refer to MDH Blood Lead Level Guidelines webpage.
Minnesota has had minor consent and confidentiality laws since 1971 (Statutes 144.341-144.347), ensuring young people can access care for pregnancy, STIs, and substance use.
In 2023, Minnesota Statute 144.3431 was added, allowing adolescents 16 years and older to consent to outpatient mental health care. MDH updated its minor consent and confidentiality webpage with resources to guide practitioners.
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Two programs support foster youth by providing post-secondary education: Education and Training Voucher (ETV) and Fostering Independence Grant (FIG). ETV applies to any accredited, federal Pell grant-eligible school using FAFSA, while FIG is limited to FIG participating schools. Both have different, but similar, program requirements.
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Education and Training Voucher (ETV)
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Fostering Independence Grant (FIG)
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- Schools in any state
- Under age 26
- In foster care for 30 consecutive days at age 17
- Adopted from foster care age 16 or older
- Had transfer of permanent custody by the court from foster care age 16 or older
- In extended foster care or left foster care at age 18 or older
- 5-year cap
- Funds paid to student
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For questions about ETV:
DCYF.ETVcoordinator@state.mn.us
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- Only participating Minnesota schools
- Under age 27
- In foster care any time age 13 or older
- Adopted from foster care age 13 or older
- Had transfer of permanent custody by the court from foster care age 13 or older
- 5-year cap (4-year program)
- 3-year cap (2-year program)
- Funds paid to school
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For questions about Fostering Independence Grants: info.ohe@state.mn.us
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The American Academy of Pediatrics' new National Center for Relational Health and Trauma-Informed Care offers a free, seven-session Trauma-Informed Pediatric Care and Resilience Promotion ECHO. This series helps health care professionals develop trauma-informed care skills and resilience strategies. Participants can present and discuss cases with a multidisciplinary team of experts.
CME credits available.
View the flyer to register and for more information.
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Training descriptions are located on the MDH website. Submit a C&TC training request form to request a training for your staff or organization. CEUs are available for each training listed.
Clinic trainings
For clinic staff (medical providers, nurses, medical assistants, nurse managers, billing) involved in C&TC screening in the clinic.
Hearing Basic Screening Skills (FREE)
Learn pure tone audiometry, play audiometry, pass/refer/rescreen criteria, and documentation.
Vision Basic Screening Skills (FREE)
Learn visual acuity plus lens screening, pass/refer/rescreen criteria, and documentation.
Sports Physical into a Complete C&TC (FREE)
Incorporate a Minnesota State High School League sports physical into a routine visit for youth ages 11-20 years who are eligible for C&TC.
In-person hearing and vision trainings
Hearing and Vision Basic Screening Skills ($60)
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April 22: 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Thief River Falls
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May 14: 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Sherburn
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June 5: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., Rochester
- June 25: 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., St. Paul
Hearing and Vision Advanced Screening Skills for Nurses ($105)
- April 22: 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., Thief River Falls
- June 5: 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Rochester
- June 25: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., St. Paul
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As always, if you have any questions, please reach out to us!
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Child and Teen Checkups (C&TC) is Minnesota’s Early Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment (EPSDT) program. EPSDT is a federal program required in every state to provide comprehensive health care and dental services for children under the age of 21 who are eligible for Medicaid. Periodic examinations or screenings are delivered according to the C&TC Schedule of Age-Related Screening Standards. |
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