The Health Department plays an important role in protecting the health of children. Our Community Health Clinic provides access to vaccines for children, while other programs help to address nutrition, health insurance, lead prevention, and the welfare of children.
The Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program helps provide vaccines to children whose parents or guardians may not be able to afford them. This helps ensure that all children have a better chance of getting their recommended vaccinations on schedule.
The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) provides a list of recommended vaccines by age.
A child is eligible for the VFC program if they are younger than 19 years of age and is one of the following:
- Medicaid-eligible
- Uninsured
- Underinsured
- American Indian or Alaska Native
For questions or to make an appointment for your child, (410) 479-8000, Dial 7-1-1 to place a call through Maryland Relay.
The Community Health Clinic is located at the Health Department Building.
Caroline Health and Public Services Building
403 S. 7th Street
Denton, Maryland 21629
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Appointments are required for services. Call (410) 479-8000 for an appointment. Dial 7-1-1 to place a call through Maryland Relay
WIC provides free healthy food, breastfeeding support, nutrition education, and healthcare and other referrals for income-eligible women who are pregnant or have recently had a baby, infants, and children up to age five. Caroline, Talbot, and Dorchester Counties are served by Mid-Shore WIC. Visit the Mid-Shore WIC website for more information.
The Maryland Children’s Health Program (MCHP) gives full health benefits for children up to age 19. MCHP enrollees obtain care from a variety of Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) through the Maryland HealthChoice Program.
Those eligible for MCHP are uninsured children under age 19, whose household modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) is at or below 211% of the federal poverty level (FPL) for their family size. In 2022, this was about $4,880/month for a family of four).
Visit the Health Insurance section of our website for more information about health care coverage for children, as well as eligible adults.
Lead poisoning is a serious condition affecting children under age 6. Lead exposure can harm a child’s developing brain, leading to lifelong learning and behavior problems.
Most lead exposure at home is caused by chipping, peeling, flaking, or deteriorating lead-based paint. Older homes are more likely to have lead-based paint, but parents should be careful of any peeling or flaking paint. Lead can also be found in toys, jewelry, and other consumer products, or could be brought home from some jobs.
There is no safe level of lead, but the definition of an elevated blood lead level is 5 mcg/dL. All children born after January 1, 2015 must be tested for lead at ages 12 and 24 months. The only way to test for lead is a blood test.
Most children can be tested at their pediatrician’s office. Our Community Health Clinic also provides lead level testing.
Our Program offers education about lead poisoning prevention and case management for children with elevated blood lead levels.
For questions or to access resources and assistance, call (410) 479-8000. Dial 7-1-1 to place a call through Maryland Relay.
The death of an infant or child is the most heartbreaking tragedy a family can experience. The Caroline County Health Department participates in local multi-agency and multidisciplinary teams to review unexpected infant and child deaths, with the goal of preventing future deaths by developing an understanding of the causes and factors surrounding each death. These important reviews serve to evaluate existing systems and services and identify methods for improving birth and childhood outcomes and the systems of care surrounding pregnancy, childbirth, infancy, and childhood.
For questions about the infant and child fatality review process, contact Jennifer Knapp.