Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs

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Program Background

The Title V/Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Block Grant, through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), requires that at least 30% of Title V funding to states be targeted to Children with Special Health Care Needs. 

According to HRSA, Children with Special Health Care Needs are defined as:  "Those who have or are at increased risk for a chronic physical, development, behavioral, or emotional condition and who also require health and related services of a type or amount beyond that required by children generally”.  CYSHCN are a diverse group with wide ranging health concerns such as chronic and acute conditions, including emotional and behavioral health.

In Nevada, the Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN) program provides resources and support to community agencies serving children from birth to age twenty one. The CYSHCN program funds a variety of community programs bridging service gaps, linking families to appropriate resources and providers, and developing strategies to better serve children and families through a network of federal, state and local community and family-based partners In order to:

•   Identify conditions children are born with earlier;
•   Develop complete, culturally appropriate, and family-centered services, including genetic services; and
•   Understand how genetics affects health    

Nevada Medical Home Portal

https://nv.medicalhomeportal.org/  

Core Domains for CYSHSN

1. Screening, Assessment and Referral
2. Eligibility and Enrollment
3. Access to Care
4. State Medical Home Portal
5. Community-Based Services and Supports
6. Family Professional Partnerships
7. Transition to Adulthood
8. Health Information Technology
9. Quality Assurance and Improvement
10. Insurance and Financing

(Further detail of Core Domains can be found in PDF file under publications)

CYSHSN Supporting Children and Families

The partnerships within MCH, with private and nonprofit agencies, universities, health departments, hospitals and providers, state and local entities allow the goals of the CYSHCN Program to be accomplished.