V.I.T.A.L. Health
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Emergency? Call 9-1-1
Additional Resources Behavioral Health & Mental Health College-bound Former Foster Care Youth Dental Resources General Healthcare & Health Insurance Information General Health and Well-Being Health Care Transition as you enter Adulthood Medical Resources National Resources Pharmacy & Prescription Resources Urgent Care or Walk-In Clinics
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Health is more than the absence of disease; it is a resource that allows people to realize their aspirations, satisfy their needs and to cope with the environment in order to live a long, productive, and fruitful life. In this sense, health enables social, economic and personal development fundamental to well-being. Health promotion is the process of enabling people to increase control over, and to improve their health. Environmental and social resources for health can include: peace, economic security, a stable ecosystem, and safe housing. Individual resources for health can include: physical activity, healthful diet, social ties, resiliency, positive emotions, and autonomy. Health promotion activities aimed at strengthening such individual, environmental and social resources may ultimately improve well-being. For more information visit: The Center for Disease Control (CDC) / Well-being
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Locating Local Urgent Care or Walk-In Clinics:
- Interactive "Town by Town" Urgent Care and Walk-in Clinic Locator
- SOLV Health We partner with high-quality providers across the country who share our goal of making access to high-quality convenient care simple, friendly and transparent for consumers, the way it should be. We equip them with technology that improves the quality of your service and the performance of their practice. For consumers, we get them in front of a provider in just a few taps, by helping them know where they can go, when they’ll be seen, and how much it will cost. We are building a world where we can all access healthcare that is convenient and affordable.
| Connecticut Hospitals | City/Town |
| Backus Hospital | Norwich |
| Bridgeport Hospital | Bridgeport |
| Bristol Hospital | Bristol |
| Charlotte Hungerford Hospital | Torrington |
| Connecticut Children's Medical Center | Hartford |
| Connecticut Hospice | Branford |
| Connecticut Valley Hospital | Middletown |
| Danbury Hospital | Danbury |
| Day Kimball Hospital | Putnam |
| Gaylord Hospital | Wallingford |
| Greenwich Hospital | Greenwich |
| Griffin Hospital | Derby |
| Hartford Hospital | Hartford |
| Hospital for Special Care | New Britain |
| Johnson Memorial Hospital | Stafford Springs |
| Lawrence+Memorial Hospital | New London |
| Manchester Memorial Hospital | Manchester |
| Middlesex Hospital | Middletown |
| MidState Medical Center | Meriden |
| Milford Hospital | Milford |
| Mt. Sinai Hospital | Hartford |
| Natchaug Hospital | Mansfield |
| New Milford Hospital | New Milford |
| Norwalk Hospital | Norwalk |
| Rockville General Hospital | Vernon |
| Saint Francis Hospital & Medical Center | Hartford |
| Saint Mary's Hospital | Waterbury |
| Sharon Hospital | Sharon |
| Silver Hill Hospital (psychiatric) | New Canaan |
| St. Vincent's Medical Center | Bridgeport |
| Stamford Hospital | Stamford |
| The Hospital of Central Connecticut– Bradley Memorial Campus | Southington |
| The Hospital of Central Connecticut– New Britain General Campus | New Britain |
| The Institute of Living(psychiatric, part of Hartford Hospital) | Hartford |
| University of Connecticut Health Center/John Dempsey Hospital | Farmington |
| Waterbury Hospital | Waterbury |
| US Veterans Administration (Newington Campus) | Newington |
| US Veterans Administration (West Haven Campus) | West Haven |
| Windham Hospital | Willimantic |
| Yale-New Haven Children's Hospital | New Haven |
| Yale-New Haven Hospital | New Haven |
| Yale-New Haven Psychiatric Hospital | New Haven |
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Health Care Transition as you enter Adulthood
Health care transitionis the process of getting ready and learning to manage your medical and mental health needs an adult. Advocating for your needs and learning how to navigate the health care system, including health insurance, is just one step in the transition into adulthood. While the topic will be part of your transition plan with your DCF Social Worker, here are some additional resources:
- Got Transition: A program of The National Alliance to Advance Adolescent Health, Got Transition offers guidance on learning to manage and advocate for your own health needs.
- "Moving to Adulthood: A handout for youth aging out of foster care” by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Foster Care Alumni of America
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College-bound Former Foster Care Youth
For many, when thinking of going to college, health insurance is not something that comes to mind. Many colleges offer Student Health Plans, or affordable health insurance options. It is important to explore the best health insurance option for your situation.
If you are staying in CT, then you may already have health insurance through Medicaid as a Former Foster Youth or income eligibility criteria. If you know you have Medicaid, you can opt out of the Student Health Plan. Some colleges automatically enroll you, so you must be sure to sign paperwork to opt out of this coverage. This is an important step to prevent being charged for a Student Health Plan you do not need, which also may complicate medical payments when you have multiple health insurances.
If you are planning to go out-of-state for college, your health insurance options differ. It is recommended you work with your DCF social worker and area office DCF Health Advocate to determine which health insurance best fits your needs.
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General Healthcare & Health Insurance Information
- About the Affordable Care Act (also known as "Obamacare")
- Access Health CT: Information on CT’s official health insurance marketplace.
- CT Department of Public Health: Provides wide variety of information on specific health related topics such as immunizations laws, school health forms, environmental health and disease prevention.
- DSS ConneCT: Online portal where you can access information on and apply for medical benefits, food stamps and/or cash assistance available through the Department of Social Services (DSS).
- DSS Husky Health Program: Information on CT Medicaid, benefit overview from behavioral health, medical coverage, dental and pharmacy.
- Veyo: Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT): Information on Medicaid’s limited transportation benefit for members who have no other way of getting to their medical, behavioral health or dental appointments.
Insurance Coverage through Age 26
As of 2014, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) mandates Medicaid coverage for former foster care youth as a special eligibility group. This means that if you were in foster care in CT on your 18th birthday AND were receiving Medicaid benefits, then you are entitled to HUSKY A Health Insurance through age 26. This coverage is regardless of income and does not require you to complete an application for coverage.
For former foster care youth NOT eligible for HUSKY through this coverage category, youth living on their own or with family can apply for insurance either through an employer, Access Health CT or CT DSS.
More Information: "Health Reform Provides New Health Coverage for Youth Formerly in Foster Care", CT Voices for Children. July 2013.
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- CT’s Medical Home Initiative (CMHI): A family-centered, community-based care coordination program for Children & Youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN).
- Health Grades: A quick search engine to access doctors and hospitals
- HUSKY Health: Website for CT Medicaid, including information covered benefits and services, eligibility criteria and enrollment.
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Behavioral Health & Mental Health Resources
- CT Behavioral Health Partnership : Information on mental health and substance use services, including covered benefits and how to access services.
- CT Collaborative to Improve Autism Services: Information on Autism diagnosis, services and family support.
- EMPS Mobile Crisis Intervention Services: Information on crisis services available by calling 2-1-1 for children and adolescents experiencing a behavioral or mental health crisis.
- Psychology Today: Provides a directory of clinical professionals and psychiatrists searchable by specific criteria and location.
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- CT Dental Health Partnership : Access dental services and details on those programs
- CT Foundation for Dental Outreach and CT Mission of Mercy: Access locations of free dental screenings
- CT Oral Health Initiative: A statewide advocacy organization devoted to forwarding oral health in CT
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Pharmacy & Prescription Resources:
- CCM Drug Savings Program: Access to free, or nearly free, prescription medicines
- DCF Centralized Medication Consent Unit: Responsible for reviewing all requests for psychotropic medication use by a child or youth committed to DCF.
- Proper Disposal of Unneeded Medication: Department of Consumer Protection provides information on proper disposal of unneeded medications.
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- Child Welfare Information Gateway: Connects child welfare and related professionals to comprehensive information, resources and tools to help protect children and strengthen families.
- Insurance
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- Department of Children and Families (DCF) Health Advocate Unit
- Hartford Public Schools Health Services: | Telehealth (for students) – 860- 937-6223 Reliable medical advice from clinic staff, virtual clinic appointments, prescriptions called in to pharmacies.
- Planned Parenthood 1229 Albany Avenue, Hartford CT 06112, 860-728-0203
- State of Connecticut Embrace Hope Expect Change Connecticut’s Network of Care for Behavioral Health, made possible through State and Private Partnerships committed to promoting access to behavioral health care information for all residents of Connecticut. (Health Care Specific Site)
- The Village for Families and Children: | Telehealth: 860-236-4511. Connect with a therapist, physician or care coordinator. No one will be denied access to services due to inability to pay.