Well-Child Visits
Healthcare visits during your child’s early life help to keep them healthy. Follow the well-visit roadmap.
Services for Youth with Special Needs
Find programs, services, and offices near you to help improve the health outcomes for your child with special needs.
School Illness Exclusion Recommendations
Based on their symptoms or diagnosis, find out when a child should stay home from school or childcare facilities.
Immunizations & Vaccines
Learn why immunizations are important for children as they grow, and find a vaccine provider.
From birth to age 5, your child should reach milestones in how he or she plays, learns, speaks, acts, and moves. Work with your child’s healthcare provider and educators to help them grow into the healthiest version they can be.
Developmental milestones and checklists, such as this one from the CDC, can be used to determine if your child is generally developing at the right pace. Every child is different, so the exact time your child reaches milestones may differ from other children you know. Here are some additional materials and resources, including milestone-tracking tools, books, tips for monitoring development, and more.
No one knows your child’s accomplishments and behaviors better than you. If you are concerned that your child isn’t meeting milestones or may have a bigger problem with their development, talk to your pediatrician or primary care provider.
You do not need to wait for a doctor’s referral or a medical diagnosis to have your child’s growth and development screened. Many providers can assist you in completing an Ages & Stages Questionnaire or assist you in identifying a resource that can provide a developmental screening, including:
- Your child’s doctor at well-child visits
- Birth to Three staff – 1-800-305-3064 or find your local service coordinator
- Head Start staff – find a location near you
- Community Health Staff – find the office nearest you
- Local public school staff
Additional Resources:
Download Educational Resources
- Learn the Signs. Act Early (CDC)
- Birth to Three (South Dakota Department of Education)
- Head Start (South Dakota Department of Education)
- strongfamilies.sd.gov
- South Dakota Parent Connection
- Ages & Stages Questionnaires®, Third Edition (Easter Seals) – be sure to share results with your provider
Children's Health News
August is Breastfeeding Awareness Month, 2023
August is Breastfeeding Awareness Month, 2023
2023 West Nile Virus Awards
The South Dakota Department of Health (DOH) is pleased to announce that nearly 200 cities, counties, and tribes across South Dakota will collectively receive $500,000 in grants to combat mosquitoes and prevent the spread of West Nile virus (WNV) in 2023. These grants have been allocated to support local efforts in controlling mosquito populations and reducing the risk of WNV transmission.