Healthy Kids

Your local health department provides many supportive services for you and your family. For more information about our services, or to make an appointment, please call (231) 547-0295 or 800-432-4121.

Healthy Kids and MIChild

Healthy Kids provides free health insurance coverage for pregnant women and children ages 0-19. Coverage can include doctor visits, dental and vision services, lab fees, prescriptions, hospital expenses, and any other services normally covered by Medicaid. The income allowance for Healthy Kids is higher for pregnant women and infants up to their 1st birthday.

Download a Healthy Kids brochure. MIChild is health insurance coverage for uninsured children ages 0-19. A family's income must be considered, and a family of 4 with an income of $40,000 or below is eligible. Doctor visits, immunizations, prescriptions, dental, vision, and hospital care are all covered. The cost is $5.00 per family per month. Call 1-800-432-4121 for more information, or visit the MDCH MIChild Website

Or apply online for Healthy Kids/MIChild

If you need help completing the application, or have other questions about Healthy Kids or MIChild, please call: 1-800-432-4121.

SafeKids Chapter

Injuries are not accidents! Injuries are the leading cause of death in persons from 1 to 34 years of age. Most of these injuires are due to preventable motor vehicle crashes, falls, fires, drowning, bicycle crashes, firearm discharges, and poisoning. Health Department of Northwest Michigan has three SafeKids Chapters which meet four times per year in Antrim county, Otsego county and Charlevoix-Emmet county. For more information, please call the Health Educator at (231) 347-5022.

Reproductive Health

The Reproductive Health Program provides confidential contraceptive clinical services and education. Services include:

Physical exam, including breast and pelvic exam
Pap smear
Sexually transmitted disease testing
Pregnancy testing and options counseling
Emergency Contraceptive/Morning After Pill
Birth control methods issued at clinic
Health counseling and referrals as needed
Pre-conceptional counseling
HIV counseling and testing

Services are confidential and based on an income-based sliding fee scale. Parental consent is not required. Clinics are staffed by certified female nurse practitioners. Call 1-800-432-4121 or 547-0295 for more information, or to make an appointment.

Michigan's Plan First!

Plan First! is a new state program that provides funding for family planning services to women - ages 19 to 44 - who otherwise would not have medical coverage for these services. The plan provides coverage for the following:

Office visits for family planning-related services
Prescriptions for birth control
Contraceptive (birth control) supplies and devices
Lab tests
Treatment of sexually transmitted infections
Some sterilizations for women 21 years of age or older

Abortions and infertility are not covered under this program.

Plan First! will provide services to women who:

Are age 19 through 44 years
Are US citizens or qualified immigrants
Are Michigan residents
Meet monthly family income limits
Have a Social Security number or have applied for one
Are not receiving Medicaid

Download the Plan First! application.

If you need assistance in applying for Plan First!, call 1-800-432-4121. Visit the Michigan Department of Community Health web page for more information.

HIV / AIDS

HIV is present in Northern Michigan. Anyone can get HIV if involved in risky behaviors such as multiple sex partners, IV drug use, male-to-male sex. Services Available:
Testing Services: Testing for HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, is available at Health Department of Northwest Michigan. We use the Orasure test, which is a pad that absorbs fluid from your mouth. No needles are used. The test is FREE. Testing can be anonymous (we use only a number, not a name). You do not have to live in the county where you are tested. All counselors are certified by the Michigan Department of Community Health. Couples testing is available.
Call1-800-432-4121 for an appointment. If our appointment times don't fit into your schedule, ask to speak with the HIV counselor.
Public Speaking: especially to youth and community groups.

Substance Abuse Prevention

Substance Abuse Prevention eduction is available to the community and schools of Antrim, Charlevoix, and Emmet counties.The schools receive substance abuse education at the middle school in two grade levels. Education on the 40 Developmental Assets are also completed in the schools, both elementary and middle schools. Support groups for Children of Alcoholics, Anger Issues, and Life Skills, are offered to many schools also. All three counties have Peer Education programs, which help to train peer educators to work with younger students.

Download the Peer2Peer Program brochure [PDF File]

(1.7 MB)

In the community, parenting classes are offered, as well as speaking engagements related to substance abuse. In all three counties, the Prevention Specialist works with other agencies to collaborate efforts to meet the needs of the community. For more information, contact:

Antrim County:
Cindy Garwood (231) 533-1013
c.garwood@nwhealth.org [Email]

Emmet County:
Susan Pulaski (231) 347-5813
s.pulaski@nwhealth.org [Email]

Teen Health Project

The Health Department of Northwest Michigan provides services to adolescents through the Teen Health Project (THP). The THP is funded by the Michigan Department of Education and is administered through the Michigan Department of Community Health. The goals of the project are:

Reduce the number of students who are uninformed about or who lack resistance and decision-making skills to avoid unprotected/unwanted sexual activity in the school.
Reduce the number of students who have poor nutrition and/or are obese. Increase the student's participation in physical activity.
Provide accurate and up-to-date HIV/AIDS information to schools for students in the THP.
Educate the students about tobacco use and abuse.

Health education and community awareness activities are provided to all schools in the district. The partner schools receive more intensive services that include peer counseling, screening, case-finding, and referral. For more information, please contact the Adolescent Health Coordinator at (231) 587-4369. Download the Teen Health Program brochure [PDF File]

(291kb)

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