Social Services
St. Joseph Care of Florida/Gulf County Health Department strives to provide a holistic approach to care, not only serving the medical needs, but also the behavioral health needs of an individual. The Social Services Department was developed, upon receipt of the Federally Qualified Health Center grant, to expanded services to our clients, specifically, behavioral health therapy and care coordination services. Appointments can be made and/or more information provided by calling the Port St. Joe office at (850) 227-1276 or the Wewahitchka office at (850) 639-2644.
Behavioral Health Services
Patients are referred to the health center for therapy services through self-referral or by the local and/or surrounding physician base. A Ph.D./Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP) /Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and Licensed Clinical Social Worker Intern provide therapy services Monday through Friday at the Port St. Joe location, and on Fridays at the Wewahitchka location. The Ph.D./ARNP/LCSW’s therapy experience includes: individuals and families, children, youth, and adults. She has worked in an agency private practice, and an adolescent psychiatric facility. Her knowledge base steams from therapy/consultation including: marriage counseling, teen support groups, adults molested as children, foster care, adoption, and child protection.
Healthy Start
The goal of Healthy Start is to reduce infant mortality, reduce the number of low birth weight babies and improve health and developmental outcomes through education and services. Healthy Start looks at risk factor that may jeopardize the positive effects for mom, baby and the whole families. This is a voluntary program, which is carried out through home visiting services, health department contacts, or whatever setting best addresses the client/family needs. Services provided through this program are childbirth education, breastfeeding support and education, smoking cessation, inter-conceptual counseling and education, parenting support and education, and psychosocial services. Clients can be referred to the program by filling out the Healthy Start screen on their first prenatal appointment, a neighbor/friend can refer, or the client their self at anytime can contact a care coordinator for support.
Car seat Program Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians (CPST) are on site and take appointments. Education is provided to see that the pregnant mom, parent or caregiver is educated properly on how the child should be adjusted in the seat. The CPST will then educate the parent on proper installation in the vehicle. There is a $15.00 charge for this service for those that are on some type of assistance (WIC, Medicaid, etc…), while $35.00 is charges to participants not on any type of assistance.
Presumptive Eligibility for Pregnant Woman
The Social Services qualifies pregnant women for PEPW eligibility based on their income. The PEPW process provides women Medicaid coverage right away. Eligibility continues for approximately 45 days or until a decision is made by Department of Children and Families regarding regular Medicaid benefits. The PEPW program provides immediate Medicaid coverage of their prenatal medical expenses and other health services. The program facilitates access to early prenatal care for the unborn child and avoids possible future medical expenses due to incomplete care.
The PEPW application process is available to all pregnant women. However, there are some general requirements that must be met:
Requirements
MomCare
MomCare will help you have a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby. It is sponsored by the Florida Department of Health and Florida’s Agency for Health Care Administration. MomCare is Medicaid health insurance for pregnant women. It will pay for your prenatal care and other health services.
A Maternity Care Advisor should contact you within a week. This Advisor will help you get the care and services you need to have healthy pregnancy and baby.
Family Planning Waiver
St. Joseph Care of Florida/Gulf County Health Department offers eligibility for the Medicaid Family Planning Waiver. Any woman, age 14 to 55, who loses her full Medicaid coverage, is eligible for the program. The period of eligibility is for two years after losing full Medicaid coverage. Women on full Medicaid must apply for year one and then reapply for year two. Women on SOBRA Medicaid are automatically enrolled for year one and then must actively apply for year two.
Eligibility and Waiver Services
Presumptive Eligibility for Pregnant Women
The pregnant woman’s statement of income and family composition is used to determine if she is eligible for PEPW Medicaid.
Income for the family of the pregnant woman must be equal to or less than 185% of the federal poverty level for the size of the family. (The unborn child is also counted as a family member.)
Proof of positive pregnancy.
At your PEPW visit:
1. Determine PEPW eligibility.
2. Explain the Momcare Program.
3. Explain the Healthy Start Program.
4. Explain the WIC Program.
5. Provided a list of prenatal providers.
6. Schedule first prenatal appointment.
7. Schedule first WIC appointment.
8. Prenatal educational information.
9. Family Planning Waiver information.
Family Planning Eligibility
A) Verification of Income-One month documentation
B) Verification of Program Eligibility:
Has lost full Medicaid coverage
Desires family planning services
Is not pregnant
Has not had a hysterectomy
Has not had a tubal ligation
C) Proof of Citizenship
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Birth Certificate
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Passport
D) Proof of Identity
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Picture Identification
Family Planning Waiver Services:
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Initial and annual family planning office visits which includes required lab tests and Pap Smear
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Family planning counseling visits
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Contraceptive supply visits
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Medicaid-covered, FDA-Approved birth control methods
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Voluntary sterilization including tubal ligations
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Screening for HIV
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Limited diagnosis and treatment for sexually transmitted infections and other gynecological problems to include colposcopy