Every Texas child deserves regular checkups, vaccines, and a doctor who knows them — and most Texas kids already qualify for free or low-cost care, whether through Medicaid, CHIP, or a sliding-scale clinic.
Texas Health Help is a community nonprofit. We don't provide pediatric care directly, but we help families understand what their child qualifies for and connect them to trusted clinics and programs across rural Texas — for free.
Rules change often. Eligibility rules and program details can change during the year. A Texas Health Help navigator will confirm what's current for your child — free and confidential.
What Free Children's Health Care Looks Like
Texas Health Steps provides free preventive care, from birth to age 20, for children with Medicaid or CHIP:
- Regular well-child checkups on a recommended schedule
- Immunizations and vaccines at no cost
- Vision and hearing screenings
- Dental checkups and referrals
- Developmental and behavioral health screenings
Not sure if your child is enrolled in Medicaid, CHIP, or Texas Health Steps? We'll help you check and get set up — free and confidential.
Babies & Newborns
- Newborn checkups typically happen in the first few days, then at regular intervals through the first year
- CHIP Perinatal covers prenatal care and the baby's first months for families who don't qualify for Medicaid
- Free or low-cost immunizations through the Texas Vaccines for Children (TVFC) program
- WIC provides nutrition support, breastfeeding help, and healthy food for babies and young children
Who Can Use These Resources?
- Parents and caregivers of babies, children, and teens up to age 20
- Pregnant families preparing for their baby's first checkups
- Families who are uninsured or unsure if their child is enrolled in Medicaid/CHIP
- Grandparents, foster parents, and other caregivers raising a child
No citizenship status is required to ask for help finding care for your child.
How to Get Started
- 1
Check your child's coverage
We'll help you confirm whether your child is enrolled in Medicaid, CHIP, or Texas Health Steps — or help you apply if not.
- 2
Find a pediatric clinic near you
We'll match you to a sliding-scale or Medicaid/CHIP-accepting clinic in your county.
- 3
Schedule the checkup
We can help you book the appointment and know what to bring — ID, insurance card, and shot records if you have them.
- 4
Let us follow up
If anything falls through — a canceled appointment, a coverage question — call us back. We stay with you.
Children's Health Resources in Your County
Live in one of the counties we serve directly? Here's what's available near you.
San Jacinto County
- Care Share Mission food pantry — 21 N. Butler St, Coldspring — (936) 653-2001.
- SNAP and WIC enrollment help for families and pregnant moms.
- 2-1-1 Texas — free referrals to local aid programs (dial 211).
- CEAP and LIHEAP utility assistance, plus emergency rent and housing help.
Brazoria County
- SNAP enrollment — apply at YourTexasBenefits.com or ask us for free help.
- WIC (Women, Infants & Children) — food and nutrition for families and pregnant moms.
- Brazosport Cares Food Pantry — (979) 239-1225, serving Freeport and Sweeny.
- Brazoria County Dream Center pantry — (979) 388-0280, 794 Brazosport Blvd S, Clute.
- United Way Brazoria County — text 737-209-6861 for rapid referrals.
- CEAP and LIHEAP utility assistance, plus emergency rent and housing help.
Not sure where to start? Call 346-699-7222 or ask Jessica, our 24/7 AI assistant. It's free and confidential.
What to Have Ready
It can help to gather, though nothing is required to ask for help:
- Child's date of birth
- Medicaid or CHIP card, if enrolled
- Shot/immunization records, if you have them
- Your address and county
- Any current health concerns
- A list of questions for the doctor
Helpful Texas Resources
Texas Health Steps
Free checkups, vaccines, vision, hearing, and dental care for children with Medicaid/CHIP, birth to age 20.
Texas WIC
Nutrition support, breastfeeding help, and healthy food for pregnant women, babies, and young children.
2-1-1 Texas
Free statewide helpline for family and children's health resources near you.
Related Guides
Pregnant or planning ahead? Our Pregnancy Medicaid guide covers coverage before your baby is even born. Already have CHIP questions? See our CHIP Texas guide.
Get your child connected to care — free
Whether it's a first checkup or you're not sure what your child qualifies for, a navigator can help. Free, confidential, no judgment.
Eligibility rules and program details change. A navigator will confirm what's current for your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Texas Health Steps, and is it really free?+
Texas Health Steps is a free preventive care program for children and young adults from birth to age 20 who have Medicaid or CHIP. It covers regular checkups, immunizations, vision, hearing, and dental care at no cost — no copay, no bill.
How often should my child get a checkup?+
Texas Health Steps follows a checkup schedule with several visits in the first year of life (newborn, then at regular intervals), then at least once a year through age 20. A navigator can help you find the exact schedule for your child's age.
My child doesn't have insurance yet. Can I still get them seen?+
Yes. We can help you apply for Medicaid or CHIP, which most Texas children qualify for, and in the meantime connect you to a sliding-scale or free clinic so your child isn't going without care while you wait.
What if my baby needs vaccines and I can't afford them?+
Immunizations are covered at no cost for children with Medicaid or CHIP through Texas Health Steps. The Texas Vaccines for Children (TVFC) program also provides free vaccines for eligible uninsured or underinsured children at participating clinics.
Does Texas Health Help provide pediatric care directly?+
No. We are a community nonprofit, not a clinic or hospital. We help you understand what your child qualifies for and connect you to pediatricians, community health centers, and well-child programs near you — for free.
What if my child needs care today, not just a routine checkup?+
If it's a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. For urgent but non-emergency needs, many of the clinics we refer families to offer same-day or walk-in pediatric sick visits — a navigator can help you find one nearby.
Disclaimer: Texas Health Help (Community Health Access Hub Texas) is a community nonprofit, not a medical provider. We do not diagnose, treat, or provide medical advice. This page is general educational information. If your child is having a medical emergency, call 911.
Looking for more help? Browse all Texas Health Help resources.