Child and Infant Services

To make an appointment for any service or inquire about a service, call your local Ottawa County Health Department:

Coopersville 616-837-8171		Grand Haven 616-846-8360
Holland 616-396-5266		Hudsonville 616-669-0040

Maternal and Infant Health Program
This service provides in home support to pregnant women, new parents and families from a team made up of a social worker, dietitian and nurse. The team provides prenatal education, counseling and nutritional information along with parenting and child development education. Help in obtaining needed resources, financial aid and travel expense costs is offered to those who qualify. Services are open to all residents who meet defined criteria. Call your local health department office for more information. You may also print and submit a Referral Form to sign up for the program.

Medicaid, Healthy Kids, MI-CHILD Insurance
Help obtaining health insurance coverage is provided for pregnant women and children up to age 18 who qualify. Plans include Healthy Kids, MI-Child, Medicaid and Maternity Outpatient Medical Services. Call 393-5731 or your local health department office. We can assist you in the application process.

Click here for Plan First, an insurance program to cover the cost of pregnancy prevention, reproductive health exams and sexually transmitted infection testing.

Click here for a brochure containing descriptions of many free or low-cost insurance programs for Michigan residents of all ages.

W.I.C. Program
WIC Program provides education and food coupons for income-eligible clients. Available to women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, and children up to 5 years old. Call 1-800-653-9436 for services and more information.

Vision and Hearing
Preschool hearing and vision clinics are available each spring in the community.Monthly clinics are also offered for children, birth through school age, whose parents have a concern about their child. In addition, technicians provide hearing and vision screening to preschool, elementary, special education and driver's education students in the schools. This screening is required prior to entering Kindergarten. If you have questions, please call the OCHD nearest you.

2008 Preschool Hearing and Vision Schedule

Children's Special Health Care Services
This program, within the Michigan Department of Community Health, is for children 20 years old and under and some adults with special health care needs and their families. It helps by providing financial assistance with medical coverage and referral for specialty services. Children's Special Health Care covers over 2700 diagnoses. If you think you or your child qualifies, call 616-846-8360 or our Family Phone Line at 1-800-359-3722 for information on how to apply. You may find more information on the Michigan Department of Community Health website or view the brochure.

Early On Program
Early On is a system designed to coordinate early intervention and other services for families who have children ages 0-3 years experiencing developmental delays or who have disabilities and other special needs. If you suspect your child may qualify or if you have concerns about the development of your child we can help. Contact Early On of Ottawa Area at 1-877-702-8602 ext. 4650, the Early-On coordinator, Janine Chittenden at 616-846-8360, 1-800-Early On, or visit the Early On website.

School Health
Registered nurses and Health Educators from the Health Department act as consultants and classroom educators to local schools. We can provide:

Assistance to students and their families seeking evaluation and treatment for suspected health problems when they are unable to access appropriate medical care.Counseling for adolescents with concerns of pregnancy, sexuality or sexually transmitted diseases.Assistance to teachers wishing to access health care information.Education and implementation of state mandated programs, such as immunizations, hearing and vision screening.Classroom education and curriculum on various topics such as substance abuse, nutrition, reproductive health and more. See Health Promotion Services for more information or call 616-393-5772.