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IBDPR Resources

Resources for Families of Children with Newborn Screening Conditions or Birth Defect

Click on the name of an organization below for more information.  For other resources available to Indiana families, please call the Indiana State Department of Health's MOMS Helpline at 1-844-MCH-MOMS.

Indiana State Department of Health Resources:

  • Children's Special Health Care Services - Children's Special Health Care Services provides supplemental medical coverage to help families of children with certain medical conditions. 
    • Families must meet financial and medical requirements in order to receive coverage from Children’s Special Health Care Services. 
    • Fact sheets and brochures are available on this website.
  • MOMS Helpline - The MOMS Helpline is committed to improving pregnant women’s access to early and regular prenatal care and connecting them with a network of prenatal and child health care services within their local communities, state agencies and other organizations around Indiana.
    • The MOMS Helpline goal is to help reduce Indiana’s infant mortality rate; and our dedicated specialists are here to provide valuable information and referrals, educate and advocate on behalf of moms and pregnant women.
    • The MOMS Helpline is an important resource for ensuring that every Indiana mom and baby is healthy and happy.
    • If you have any questions or need information about a particular resource that is not listed on our website, please feel free to call 1-844-MCH-MOMS (1-844-624-6667) or email MCHMOMSHelpline@isdh.in.gov.

Financial Resources:

  • Hoosier Healthwise - Hoosier Healthwise is a healthcare program for Indiana children and pregnant women. 
    • Prescription medicines, dental care, eye care, family planning and mental health services are also available as part of Hoosier Healthwise.

Other Indiana Resources for Families:

  • Folic Acid - Folic acid is a B vitamin that, when taken before pregnancy, has been proven to prevent serious birth defects such as spina bifida.
    • According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, up to 70 percent of neural tube defects could be prevented if women took folic acid.
    • Current research also indicates that folic acid may help prevent heart disease, stroke, and some forms of cancer.
  • About Special Kids - A place for families and professionals in Indiana to "ASK" questions about children with special needs, to access information and resources, and to connect to family support.
  • First Steps of Indiana - Indiana's First Steps is a family-centered system that provides early intervention services for children with disabilities.
    • Families who are eligible for First Steps have children (from birth to 3 years old) with developmental delays and/or a diagnosed condition that may cause developmental delays.
    • First Steps offers 16 services, such as physical therapy, speech therapy, nutrition services, family education and counseling, and social work services.
  • IN*Source - IN*Source (also called the Indiana Resource Center for Families with Special Needs) is a parent organization that gives families information and training necessary to make sure that children with special needs in Indiana receive appropriate education and other services.
    • IN*Source works with children from birth through young adulthood.
  • Indiana Protection & Advocacy Services - Indiana Protection and Advocacy Services (IPAS) is an organization that works to protect the rights of people with disabilities.
    • IPAS staff members include disability rights advocates and attorneys who are able to take legal action on behalf of Indiana citizens with disabilities.
  • Mental Health America - Indiana - Mental Health America of Indiana (also called MHAI) connects people with support groups for mental health disorders, such as depression, anxiety and schizophrenia.
  • Help Me Grow -Indiana - The Help Me Grow system is designed to help states and communities leverage existing resources to ensure communities identify vulnerable children, link families to community-based services, and empower families to support their children’s healthy development through the implementation of four Core Components.

National Resources:

  • Kids Health - A place for parents, teens and kids to find information about health topics.
  • March of Dimes - March of Dimes contains information about pregnancy, caring for a baby, advocacy and information for healthcare professionals.

Page last revised on 11/18/2019