The IDHS BMCH aims to facilitate case management services to high risk infants and children statewide with the goal of reducing infant mortality and morbidity rates at both the state and local level. Assistance in obtaining health and human services which promote healthy growth and development will be provided to high-risk families as mandated in the Illinois Family Case Management Act through High Risk Infant Follow-Up.
Infants and children (ages 0 - 2 years old) are referred to the high-risk infant follow up program either through the IDPH Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes Reporting System (APORS) or based on assessments done in the Family Case Management program which determine: that the infant has been diagnosed with a serious medical condition after newborn discharge; when maternal alcohol or drug addiction has been diagnosed; or when child abuse or neglect has been indicated based on investigation by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (See 410 ILCS 525/3 and 77 Ill. Adm. Code 840.210).
The primary goals of HRIF are to:
- Minimize disability in high-risk infants by early identification of possible conditions requiring further evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment
- Promote optimal growth and development of infants
- Teach family care of the high-risk infant
- Decrease stress and potential for abuse
Services provided include but are not limited to:
- Completed needs assessment and develop an individualized care plan.
- Delivery of all services to high-risk infants in accordance with the provisions of the current Department's Program Policy Manual.
- Collaboration with other service providers in the community including primary care physicians and Medicaid managed care entities for service development and integration, and to maximize care coordination.
- Assurance that all birth mothers of enrolled high-risk infants are screened for and educated on perinatal mood disorders and referred to services as appropriate.
- Assurance that enrolled infants receive developmental screening within the first 12 months of life utilizing a standardized screening tool.
- Provision of home visits according to the Program Policy Manual.
Any children in DCFS custody who are eligible for HRIF, receive HRIF, and are referred back to HWIL once they are no longer eligible for HRIF.
Contacts
Bureau Page: Maternal and Child Health
Email: Bureau of Maternal & Child Health
Information & Resources
Manuals
