Although Emergency Medical Services (EMS) systems have existed for over 30 years, their main focus has been caring for adults. In 1984, the federal EMS for Children (EMS-C) program was established. It is primarily supported and administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Health Resources and Services Administration and the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

EMS-C is a national initiative designed to reduce child and youth disability and death due to severe illness or injury. Prevention is the foremost goal.

The other goal is to ensure that all ill or injured children and adolescents receive state-of-the-art emergency medical care from emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics, emergency department personnel, and rehabilitation specialists, if needed.

State and local action is supported through a federal grant program.