OELWEIN - A Child Health Specialty Clinic formerly operating in offices in Waterloo and Dubuque is up and running in Fayette County. The combined clinic - one of 12 in Iowa - opened in February at 212 Eighth Ave. SE in Oelwein.

The centers are administered through the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics' Department of Pediatrics and funded in part by the Iowa Department of Public Health.

Newborns to young people 21 years old are eligible for services. Diagnoses range from developmental and physical problems to psychological and behavioral concerns.

"The need for this clinic is significant," said Deb Bahe, health services coordinator at the Oelwein site.

The clinic continues to serve clients from Black Hawk and Dubuque counties. Officials decided to combine offices and determined Oelwein was more centrally located within the 11-county service area in Northeast Iowa, Bahe said.

Among available services are clinics for kids up to 5 years old; for integrated evaluation and planning; and for care coordination.

As part of the evaluation and planning process, a team - a pediatrician, psychologist, social worker and nurse - troubleshoot a child's physical, emotional, behavioral and educational needs. The average visit is three hours.

With parents' permission, school or area education agency staff members attend the case review to hear a summary of recommendations. A consultant then works with families to provide education and additional resources.

"Care coordination is a big part of what we're about. If we're not able to provide the help needed, we will find a resource," Bahe said.

The center receives referrals from doctors, teachers and agencies. Department of Human Services referrals may include children considered drug-endangered.

Families with special health concerns can also ask about seeing a specialist.

The clinic accepts payment through Medicaid Title 19 and private insurance.

Each year in Iowa, Child Health Specialty Clinic staff members serve about 5,600 young people, including 800 infants and 1,500 children in preschool.

Primary care providers are encouraged to remain involved. Clinic physicians often recommend additional testing when necessary at the client's hospital or own doctor.

Pediatric concerns addressed at the clinics range from autism and Asperger's syndrome to depression and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. A dietitian also holds specific sessions on feeding to assist caregivers with children with autism, muscular dystrophy and other illnesses. Metabolic and genetics clinics are planned in May.

Bahe said technology can sometimes shorten the length of time a client must wait to have concerns addressed. Using a Web camera connected to high-speed Internet, physicians at a regional center like Oelwein can connect children and families to doctors at other sites.

The clinics presence continues in Waterloo.

"We have (integrated evaluation and planning) clinics scheduled the first Thursday of every month at Peoples Community Health Clinic and more often if needed," Bahe said. "In addition to the (integrated evaluation and planning) clinics, the Child Health Specialty Clinic child psychiatrist is available in Waterloo via the Web cam at Peoples."

Bahe understands the hopelessness some parents and caregivers experience in the health care system.

"We hope people don't give up. The last chapter isn't written. If we could identify more problems at an earlier age, we would have more social and educational success," she said.

Contact Janell Bradley at jbradley@alpinecom.net.

Go & do:

Child Health Specialty Clinic in Oelwein will hold an open house Friday, The event will be from 1:30 to 6 p.m. The clinic, near Mercy Hospital, is at 218 Eighth Ave. SE.