What is the Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN) Program?
The Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs Program is a joint federal/state and local program which has been in operation in Maryland since 1937. The Talbot County Health Department’s CYSHCN Program provides a range of services designed to address needs that are otherwise unmet. The program is staffed by a full time Registered Nurse.
Who is eligible?
Currently, anyone from birth through their 21st year with a disability, chronic illness or health related, educational or behavioral problem is eligible.
What services are available?
Case management and resource/care coordination provides family –centered, team based assistance to assess and meet the needs of the client/family while helping to navigate through the special needs and health care system in an organized and coordinated manner. The CYSHCN nurse will provide home visiting and frequent contacts as needed to provide the coordination needed to help address the potential gaps in interrelated needs often encountered by the client and the family in the special needs system- medical, social, financial, educational, behavioral and developmental.
Parent support and education is provided in the form of individual contacts, newsletters and coordination and referrals to local, regional and state parent groups.
Assistance obtaining gray area or gap filling services is provided to address needs or services that are recommended by are not covered by insurance or have copays which are cost prohibitive.
Regional resources are often the solution to a concern or issue. The CYSHCN program provides assistance in locating and accessing specialty services and transportation.
Support and liaison services related to special education are provided to assist families in learning about the process, to be a resource and to accompany families to IEP meetings and/or school conferences.
Assistance with applications for funding from Children’s Medical Services (CMS) is provided. The Children’s Medical Service, part of the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, provides funding to the uninsured and underinsured if certain medical and financial eligibility criteria are met. The CYSHCN Program provides assistance with the application process.
How do I begin to access services?
Contact Mary E. O’Brien, RN at Talbot County Health Department at 410-819-5665.
Updated 1-27-2017
