(a)  There is established within the department of health, division of emergency medical services (EMS), an emergency medical services for children (EMSC) program. The EMSC program, operated within the department of emergency medicine of Hasbro Children’s Hospital, shall be recognized by the department of health as a resource to the state’s overall emergency medical services system, in order to effect the provisions of this chapter. The objective and directive of the EMSC program shall be to continue, to the extent that funds through the federal government, state government or private sources are available for this purpose, the growth and development of those programs already in effect pursuant to the federal grant received under the maternal and child health bureau. The goal and objective of the program shall include, but shall not be limited to the following:

(1)  To develop and implement new statewide EMS treatment protocols that emphasize pediatric emergency care, along with supporting EMT education and training programs;

(2)  To develop programs for parents and communities, which shall:

(i)  Identify and reduce barriers to emergency care for children;

(ii)  Provide information relating to health promotion and injury prevention; and

(iii)  Focus on recognition of emergencies, and improving access to and appropriate use of the local EMS systems; and

(3)  The program shall also provide periodic case reviews and follow-up to EMS personnel in pediatric cases.

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(b)  The EMSC program may solicit, receive, and spend funds it receives from the federal government, state government or private sources to carry out the purposes of this chapter.

(c)  The EMSC program may employ or contract with professional, technical, research, and clerical staff, and with health care facilities that have expertise in pediatric care, as necessary within the limits of available funding.