Vanessa Curtis, MD
Division Director

The Division of Child and Community Health and Child Health Specialty Clinics (CHSC) are part of the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine and the Stead Family Department of Pediatrics. CHSC provides gap-filling clinical care, health assessments, care coordination, and family to family support for Iowa Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs and their families. CHSC has a network of regional centers and satellite locations across Iowa employer over 90 clinical providers, public health professionals, and Family Navigators.

There are approximately 143,000 Iowa children and youth with special health care needs including chronic conditions, mental or behavioral health diagnoses, developmental or genetic disorders, and intellectual disabilities. The foundation of CHSC’s funding comes from the Title V Maternal and Child Health Block Grant, part of the 1935 Social Security Act. Each state receives a “block” of funding to improve the health, safety, and well-being of all mothers and children.

In Iowa, the Title V Programs for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs is guided by three priorities:

1. Access to community-based services and supports, pediatric specialty providers, and coordination of care.
2. Support for families of youth and young adults making the transition to adulthood.
3. Support for parenting children and youth with special health care needs.

CHSC also provides access to pediatric specialists through a statewide telehealth network.

Child Health Specialty Clinics
Division of Child and Community Health
100 Hawkins Drive, 247 CDD
Iowa City, IA 52242

Phone: 1-319-356-3808

Division Support Staff: Ursula Ferrier