Children with special health care needs are those who have or are at increased risk for a chronic physical, developmental, behavioral, or emotional condition and who also require health and related services of a type or an amount beyond that required by children generally.  Counties are charged with the responsibility of identifying children under the age of 21 with special health care needs.  The counties identify and report to the State Department of Health all gaps in services and in service delivery for these children.  The ultimate goal is to take action to improve the health care system throughout the State.

The program identifies children who have no primary health care home.  It identifies children who are uninsured or underinsured.

The program is designed to assist families with Medicaid and Child Health Plus applications; to follow-up with families who do not complete applications; and to assist families in obtaining routine health care for their children.

There is no cost to families.  The county cost is administrative only.  The State reimbursed the County $21,900.64 for the 2007 CSHCN Program.

There are 477 children entered in the program.