GOAL ONE: HEALTHY CHILDREN


To paraphrase the World Health Organization's definition of health, it is not only the absence of disease and disability, but the positive conditions of physical, mental and social well-being. Not only is this our vision for all of California's children, but we also subscribe to Dean Reed Tuckson's (Charles Drew Medical School) view that all of a culture's social, economic and political forces converge to impact the health of children. So too should all organizations and institutions serving children be linked together in time, space and philosophy to value, nurture, protect and serve the "whole child".

H 1. All babies shall be born full-term, appropriate weight and drug-free, To the extent scientifically feasible, babies will be born free of genetic impairment.

  1. All pregnant women shall have access to affordable, early and culturally appropriate prenatal care.
  2. Prenatal care will include comprehensive screening and follow-up for all high risk conditions, including those of a psychological nature (for example, substance abuse).
  3. Postpartum hospital discharge shall be based on the medical and individual decision of the care provider and the mother.
H 2. All children shall receive necessary screenings and immunizations at recommended periods during the developmentally appropriate stages of life .

  1. Well child health care will be available and accessible for all babies.
  2. Parental anticipatory guidance will be provided.
  3. Appropriate follow-up for identified special needs will be provided.
H 3. Toddler and preschool health and developmental assessments and follow-up will be provided.

  1. Parental guidance in milestones and parent-child interaction will be the norm.
  2. Parents will be able to identify and cope with episodic emergency and routine health problems.
  3. Early identification of children with emotional problems will be promoted by a system of care in order to enhance healthy outcomes.
  4. All children shall have a source of primary health care.
H 4. The healthy child in elementary school.

  1. Each child shall enter kindergarten fully immunized, well-nourished and physically and emotionally ready to learn.
  2. Communication channels will be open among health care providers, mental health professionals, schools and parents to meet child's health and emotional needs while at school.
  3. There shall be adequate school health and mental health personnel and school-based and school and child care-linked health and mental health care services, including co-location of providers.
  4. School environments will be safe and free of violence.
H 5. Healthy transition from childhood through adolescence into adulthood.

  1. The priority of adolescent medicine will be elevated and will include mental health services as a specialty available as primary care.
  2. Through comprehensive health education, adolescents will be able to develop responsibility for healthy lifestyles, including avoidance of risk-taking behavior.
  3. Health and mental health services will be integrated into school and youth activities.
  4. Healthy adolescent sexuality will be recognized and responsible behavior promoted.


Continued....

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