Q: What is Well Child, Inc.?
A: WCI is an on-site portable clinic which performs comprehensive health examinations at your school. WCI is under the direction of Ms. Karen J. Pease, family nurse practioner, & Dr. Lloyd Robinson & operates according to federally mandated standards for The Early Periodic Screening Diagnosis & Treatment (ESPDT) Program. This is Medicaid's comprehensive & preventive health program for recipients under the age of 21.

Q: Why perform screening on healthy children?
A: Very often students come to school with barriers to learning that cannot be seen by teachers or parents. Vision & hearing problems, anemia, & developmental & behavioral issues are examples of conditions which can have dramatic effects on a child's ability to learn. Once health problems are discovered, they can often be eliminated through a WCI referral to a treatment professional.

Q: Who performs the health exams?
A: Health exams are performed by nurse practitioners, registered nurses, assisted by emergency medical technicians (often local firefighters), & medical assistants. All these professionals serve as role models & make health care a fun & positive experience for children. The medical professionals are employed by WCI.

Q: What is involved in a comprehensive health examination?
A: The comprehensive exam includes the following federally mandated components:
1.    Comprehensive health history, including behavioral screens.
2.    Complete physical exam.
3.    Vision & hearing screening utilizing state-of-the-art equipment.
4.    Dental screening.
5.    Immunization review.
6.    Lab test as indicated by age, health histories or exam findings.
7.    Health education with anticipatory guidance.

Q: What are the ages of students eligible for screening?
A: According to standards set by Medicaid's EPSDT, recipients of service are birth up to age 21. Within the school system we screen pre-K to age 21. We begin screening in the childcare agencies at 3 years of age.

Q: How can WCI services are offered at no charge to schools or parents?
A: WCI works in partnership with TennCare Health Plans which reimburse WCI for exams performed on students covered by these plans.

Q: What happens when a health problem is identified by WCI?
A: WCI will not be treating children. WCI informs the child's parent or guardian of any health problems identified & makes a referral to the child's primary care provider so that the problem can be treated-& learning barriers can be eliminated or diminished. Hearing, vision, dental & mental health problems are referred directly to a specialist. If an urgent or serious problem is identified, WCI makes phone contact to the parent or guardian immediately.

Our Purpose

I.     To make preventive state-of-the-art health care easily accessible for the community's children by
         offering services on-site at participating schools & agencies.
II.    To assist in removing health-related barriers in the education of children.
III.  To provide health care in partnership with the child's family, school & community.
IV.   To provide preventive health care that is age appropriate & culturally sensitive for the
        community's children and youth.
V.     To better promote good health & disease prevention amongst our school children.


Our Mission & Vision

    The mission of Well Child, Inc. (WCI) is to provide preventive physical, developmental & behavioral assessments to children & youth in a comfortable & familiar setting. We believe that healthy bodies promote healthy minds & promote optimal learning amoung children & youth.

WCI is guided by the following core philosophies:

Questions & Answers


    Well Child inc. (WCI) will be at each elementary school during the year to perform health screenings that will include medical, vision, hearing, developmental/behavioral, and dental.  If the EPSDT exam results indicate your child is in need of closer attention in any of thes areas, a referral (according to the guidelines of the TennCare healthplans) will be made to appropriate medical personnel based on findings.  WCI will NOT be treating your child. 
    These screenings will be provided at the school and are done during school hours.  If you are interested in your child having an EPSDT exam, you will need to return the completed packet (and signed consent form) that your child will bring home at the beginning of the school year. 
    Well Child offers these services at NO COST to the school or parent/guardian.  WCI works in partnership with TennCare healthplans which reimburse WCE for exams performed on TennCare enrolled children.