The Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs Program is in the Healthy Starts and Transitions unit in the Office of Family and Community Health Improvement at the Department of Health. The program promotes an integrated system of services for infants, children and youth up to age 18 years who have or are at risk for chronic physical, developmental, behavioral, or emotional conditions and require health and related services of a type or amount beyond what is generally needed.
At the state level, the program collaborates with families, policy makers, health care providers, agencies, and other public-private leaders to identify and improve health system issues that impact this population.
At the local level, the program supports contractors to help families with resources and linkages to community services including family support, care coordination, and health information. Guiding principles for our activities are reflected in the National Standards for Systems of Care for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs.
