EMS for Children

Visit the Maine EMS-C Advisory Committee & Minutes page for meeting information

What is the Maine EMS for Children (EMS-C) Program?

The goal of EMS-C is to reduce pediatric mortality and morbidity across the nation by ensuring appropriate and effective pediatric emergency care. The EMS-C Program was signed into law in 1984 as the federal Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMS-C) Program.  It is administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), focusing on the emergency care needs of America’s children. Whether in times of a disaster or an everyday emergency, the HRSA EMS-C Program supports every state, U.S. territory, and freely associated states to provide the right care, in the right place, at the right time, for every child. Since its inception, all 50 states, the District of Columbia, five U.S. territories, and three freely associated states have received funding from the Federal Program.

The Maine EMS-C program focuses collaboratively with Maine EMS services, emergency departments, and EMS and hospital personnel to encourage preparation, education, and care for those under 18 years old.  We work within a federally defined set of performance measures that strike a balance between EMS, hospital, and long-term resourcing of the State for pediatric responses, care, and transport.

1. EMS-C Performance Measures Summary (PDF)
2. EMS for Children Program Performance Measures Manual (PDF)
3. Maine EMS-C Overview (PPT) and Maine EMS-C Overview (PDF)
4. EMS-C Advisory Committee Overview (PDF)

Visit the EMS Pediatric Care Resources webpage

Visit the Hospital Pediatric Care Resources webpage

New England EMS-C Collaborative website

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Other Maine Pediatric Resources

1. Map of Hospitals in Maine with Birthing Capabilities (PDF) (3/31/2023)
2. Maine Maternal, Fetal, and Infant Mortality Review (MFIMR) Panel report for 2021-2022 (PDF) (3/20/23)
3. Child Abuse & Mandated Reporters in Maine
   1. How to Report Child Abuse
   2. Mandatory Reporters in Maine & Education
   3. Mandatory Reporting Presentation 
4. Maine State Infant Safe Haven Law (PDF)
5. Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children during COVID (MIS-C)
   1. Youtube video of May 29, 2020 presentation from Massachusetts General Hospital for Children
   2. Maine Medical Center/Barbara Bush MIS-C Clinical Guidelines (PDF)

Resources for Families and Caregivers

• A Guide to Safety Conversations with Families (PDF)
• Evidence-Based Strategies for Child & Adolescent Injury Prevention (PDF)
• Maine Office of Child & Family Services
• Caring for Children in a Disaster

State & Local Partners

• Barbara Bush Children's Hospital at Maine Medical Center Pediatric Emergency Department
• Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center Pediatric Critical Care
• Northern New England Poison Center
• Maine Chapter - American Academy of Pediatrics
• Consider being a foster parent in Maine! (PDF) Also learn more at A Family for ME

Federal Partners

• American Academy of Pediatrics
• EMSC & Innovation/Improvement Center (EMSC IIC)
• National EMS for Children Data Analysis Resource Center (NEDARC)
• Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network (PECARN)
• EMS Agenda for 2050

Reference Resources

Maine EMS makes no recommendations on any particular products or procedures.

Clinical Resources

• Critical Crossroads: Pediatric Mental Health in the Emergency Department (PDF)
• Maine CDC Measles Recommendations and March 8, 2019 Status (PDF)
• Pediatric Vital Signs (PDF) (printable chart)
• Quality Improvement in EMS for Children (PDF)

Disaster Resources

• Taking Care of Your Family During COVID-19 and Other Infectious Disease Outbreaks (PDF)
• Youth and Children with Special Health Care Needs During COVID-19 (PDF)
• Children with Special Health Care Needs in Disaster

If you would like a manual or resource added, please email marc.a.minkler@maine.gov