Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN) have chronic physical, developmental, behavioral, or emotional conditions. These may include:
- sickle cell disease
- epilepsy
- anxiety
- autism
- learning disorders
CYSHCN may require specialized health and educational services to thrive. If you have a child with special needs, there are programs and resources that can help. VDH has several programs to assist:
Care Connection for Children (CCC):
- Serves children from birth to age 21 with physical conditions that are expected to last a year or more.
- Provides care coordination or case management. This may include: referral and connection to needed clinical services, assistance in obtaining durable medical equipment and medications, and assistance in obtaining and understanding health insurance.
Child Development Centers (CDC):
- Assess children suspected of developmental delays, mental health concerns, behavior concerns, learning problems, and more.
- Core services include diagnostic assessment, care planning, follow-up care coordination and referral.
Pediatric and Adult Comprehensive Sickle Cell Programs:
- Serve children and people of all ages needing care for sickle cell disease.
- The pediatric centers are valuable partners with VDH for entry into care after children have been confirmed via the newborn screening bloodspot test.
- The adult program works hand in hand with the pediatric program to transition youth from pediatric care to adult care.
Virginia Bleeding Disorders Program (VBDP):
- Serves children and adults with varying bleeding disorders. Disorders may include hemophilia and Von Willebrand Disease.
- Services include health insurance premium assistance, health insurance consultation, and pool of funds to obtain medications.
Virginia Congenital Anomalies Reporting and Education System (VaCARES)
- Serves as Virginia’s mandated birth defects surveillance reporting system (§ 32.1-69.1).
- Helps improve the knowledge, prevention, and outcomes of those affected by birth defects in Virginia.