Children with Special Health Care Needs
Children with special health care needs are those from birth to age 21 years who require health care or related services beyond the regular well care and preventive measures to keep children healthy.
These may include children who have or are suspected of having a serious chronic, physical, developmental, or emotional condition. Healthy children and adolescents that have developed special needs due to illness or an accident also may require additional health care.
The Columbia County Department of Health’s Children with Special Health Care Needs – CSHCN – is a program designed to provide information and guidance to families with a special needs child.
A registered nurse is on staff to offer assistance with access to appropriate specialty care. Resource information and group support for a child’s particular condition is provided. The nurse may also assist with organizing your child’s medical history and records, help find transportation for medical appointments, and obtain translation services in Spanish or other languages. Families can be linked with community-based agencies and service providers such as:
- Child Health Plus Insurance / Medicaid
- Early Intervention
- Women Infants and Children (WIC)
- Developmental Disabilities Service Office (DDSO)
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Specialty Clinics
CSHCN will provide services for children who meet criteria covered under Special Health Care Needs, whose families meet income eligibility for this program, and whose child is not eligible for Medicaid or insurance through Child Health Plus. For insured children or those enrolled in Child Health Plus, the program may pay for services for which insurance denies coverage.
