COVID-19 Service Changes
The COVID-19 Outbreak has required the Bureau of Family Health to change the way several of its services and programs are delivered. The primary change is that various services are being offered virtually or over the phone. The list below describes how specific programs are providing services while practicing social distancing.
This list only refers to services provided by programs that are part of the Bureau of Family Health. For information about other government or non-government programs or specific healthcare providers, clinics or hospitals, contact those agencies or individuals directly.
- Children's Special Health Services (CSHS), Genetics, and Sickle Cell clinics have resumed in-person visits. Staff will also continue offering telehealth services* in the interests of patient safety and convenience. In addition, staff are continuing to provide care coordination for patients. For further questions, please call (504) 568-8254.
- Children’s Special Health Services Parent Liaisons are working with the regional Families Helping Families resource networks. The statewide Family Resource Center is available to assist families with comprehensive resource and referral services. For assistance, families should email BFH-FamilyResourceCenter@la.gov or call (504) 896-1340 between 8AM-4PM, Monday through Friday.
- Family Support and Coaching services provided through the Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) program have moved to telehealth* services. They are still accepting referrals to the program during this time.
- The Mental Health Consultation program is now providing direct services and family support via virtual visits.
- The Louisiana Commission for the Deaf has created a web page to assist people who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing with staying up to date on the latest information regarding COVID-19. They also created a Communication Card to help communicate symptoms and recent travel histroy to providers if someone who is Deaf thinks they've been infected with COVID-19. View the web page here.
- The Louisiana Health Homes and Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (LHHCLPPP) in-person services are unavailable until further notice. This includes environmental investigations and lead hazard control activities. For more information, please contact Trina Evans-Williams (Trina.Evans@la.gov) or Jonathan Whipple (Jonathan.Whipple@la.gov).
- Newborn Screening program staff are not holding regular office hours during the COVID-19 Outbreak. Providers can order screening forms by filing a Request for Newborn Screening Blood Spot Collection Forms. Please submit completed forms to Margaret McGinnis (Margaret.McGinnis@la.gov).
- The Reproductive Health Program (RHP) is currently limiting in-person services to those experiencing symptoms of sexually transmitted infections (STI) or exposure to syphilis. Anyone who is experiencing STI symptoms or has been exposed to syphilis should contact their local Parish Health Unit (PHU) for same-day testing and treatment. Each health unit is contacting patients to reschedule all previously scheduled appointments. Established patients should expect a phone call from their provider’s office. The Reproductive Health team is working to expand telehealth* capabilities at PHUs in order to provide more services to both existing and new patients. RHP continues to accept all patients regardless of insurance or ability to pay.
*Telehealth services means visiting with your doctor by phone, video chat, or other technology.