The Ventura County Health Care Agency (VCHCA) has several Children's Medical Services to improve healthcare services for Ventura County infants, children and teens. The programs are described below.

Californa Children's Services (CCS) is for children under age 21 who have chronic medical conditions such as cystic fibrosis, hemophilia, cerebral palsy, heart disease, cancer; traumatic injuries; and infectious diseases that cause major medical problems. CCS is funded with state, county and federal support.

If a child’s condition is eligible, VCHCA can provide lab tests, x-rays, physician services, hospital care, physical and occupational therapy through the Medical Therapy Program (MTP) and obtain certain medical equipment.

To qualify for CCS (as of January 2013), the indvidual must come from a family income of less than $40,000 or whose out-of-pocket medical expenses for a child who qualifies are more than 20% of family income. Or the child has Healthy Families medical insurance coverage.

The Child Health and Disability Prevention (CHDP) program assures access to preventive health care for eligible infants, children, and teens.  CHDP Public Health Nurses assure comprehensive health check ups by certifying physicians and clinics. These health check-ups include a complete health physical examination, growth and development check, all needed shots and lab tests, dental, vision, and hearing screening and appropriate health education information.

Children eligible for CHDP include those with Medi-Cal from birth through 20 years, from birth through 18 years with low to moderate incomes that are not eligible for Medi-Cal, in foster care or in Head Start and State preschool programs.

The VCHCA Medical Therapy program is for children under 21 years of age with chronic, long-term physically handicapping conditions, and who go to school in Ventura County or have parents or guardians who live in Ventura County.

Services are provided in Medical Therapy Units in select public school sites. Services includeMedical Therapy Conferences to coordinate therapy needs, occupational/physical therapy and consultation for equipment needs.

Physicians and therapists work with parents or guardians to develop a Medical Therapy Plan tailored to the child's specific needs. Occupational and/or physical therapy are approved and prescribed as needed by the physician and are provided at each Medical Therapy Unit in the program.

For more information on these children's medical services, visit vchca.org/public-health/children%27s-medical-services or call 805.981.5281 or 800.781.4449 x4.