The Department's philosophy regarding health care reflects the principles and standards of Project Good Health. The Project Good Health (PGH) program is a federally-funded, Medicaid-reimbursable program aimed at ensuring that children receive quality, comprehensive health services on a periodic and continual basis. The Department is committed to preventative health care and to the early diagnosis and treatment of children's illnesses. In order to help promote good health maintenance and to minimize the incidence of chronic and disabling diseases among the high risk population it serves, the Department has established 110 CMR 7.121 through 7.127. For its substitute care population, the Department assumes responsibility for assuring that the children receive medical examinations at the time of placement if needed, routine medical and dental examinations within age-specific time-frames (i.e., within the Department's periodicity schedule*), any required follow-up, and routine and emergency mental health care.

*The periodicity schedule for health care examinations which the Department shall adhere to is as follows:

Routine medical examinations at the following times:

two - six weeks of age eight - ten weeks of age four months of age six months of age nine months of age one year of age 15 months of age 20 months of age two years of age 30 months of age three years of age After age three, annually

Routine dental examinations at the following times:

Starting at age three, routine dental examinations annually.