Children & Youth with Special Healthcare Needs

The CYSHCN Program helps to address complex care issues to improve the health and well-being for children aged birth to 18 years old who have or are suspected of having chronic conditions, delays or disabilities. The Health District also works to eliminate systems barriers that these families may face and works collaboratively with community care providers coordinating NICU discharge planning meetings and the Benton Franklin Feeding Team.

This community service supports the child (Birth to 18) and family in the transition from hospital/clinic to home. Public Health staff continue to be available to the family and facilitate services as they progress through the continuum of care. This service is provided to families regardless of income and there is no charge to the family for CYSHCN services.

Children & Youth with Special Health Care Needs Brochure

Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs | Washington State Department of Health

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Children & Youth with Special Health Care Needs Brochure in other languages
Home Health vs CYSHCN Services
Where to Refer
Reasons for CYSHCN Referrals
Referral Information That Should Be Included
Organize Your Care

Children & Youth with Special Health Care Needs Brochure in other languages

ኣማርኛ - Amharic - Version for printing
العربية - Arabic - Version for printing
ဗမာစကား -Burmese - Version for printing
繁體中文 – Chinese (traditional) - Version for printing
한국어 - Korean - Version for printing
ພາສາລາວ (pháasaa láo) - Lao - Version for printing
Afaan Oromo - Oromo - Version for printing
Русский - Russian - Version for printing
af Soomaali - Somali - Version for printing
Español - Spanish - Version for printing
Tagalog - Tagalog - Version for printing
ትግርኛ (təgərəña) - Tigrinya - Version for printing
Українська (Ukrajins’ka) - Ukrainian - Version for printing
Tiếng Việt - Vietnamese - Version for printing

Home Health vs CYSHCN Services

It is very appropriate to refer to both a home health care nursing agency and a CYSHCN Care Coordinator since their roles are different. The home health care nurse focuses primarily on the child and the specific condition. The CYSHCN Care Coordinator focuses on the child within the family and the community and promotes family choice and collaboration between parents and professionals. The CYSHCN Care Coordinator will contact the family and do an assessment and will define with the family the services the CYSHCN Care Coordinator can provide. Services may be provided in the home, clinic or phone.

Where to Refer

Birth to 18 years of Age

For known or suspected Developmental Delay - Age 3 and Above

Reasons for CYSHCN Referrals

The child has complex health needs and the family needs help with:

Finding or coordinating medical/behavioral health providers

Accessing local resources and/or services for your child

Finding financial assistance for your child’s health-related needs

Understanding and/or coping with child’s health condition

NOTE: If you suspect child neglect or abuse, you should make a referral to Child Protective Services (CPS). It is not appropriate to make a CYSHCN referral to assess abuse when that possibility has already been identified. It is appropriate to also make a CYSHCN referral on these children, with a note that CPS referral has been made; the CYSHCN staff will make every effort to coordinate with the CPS caseworker.

Referral Information That Should Be Included

Child's name, birth date, gender, and race/ethnicity

Address and phone numbers- this should be the address of the place where the family resides (not a P.O. Box #)

Names of parents and birth date of the mother, if available

List primary language of the child and the parent if other than English

List the community physician or health care practitioner who provides the child’s primary care in the community

Explain why the referral is being made; what do you expect the PHN to accomplish?

List who to contact regarding follow-up. Should information go to a specific clinic or program at a hospital, the community health care provider, or a specific person?

For infants/children being discharged from the hospital: include discharge summary/notes, discharge instructions for parents and relevant chart notes (ie: OT, PT, SLP, SW, specialist & surgeries)

Fax Referrals to Carla Prock - CYSHCN Coordinator at 509.460.4321.

Organize Your Care

Organize Your Child’s Care

Organizing your child’s health information not only helps you, but can help providers or other caregivers to better know and support your child. Keeping your information organized helps:

Create a home for a lot of paperwork – You may both get and create a lot of paperwork about your child’s health. You may have reports from medical visits, instructions for care, medicine lists and directions, photos or images, laboratory results, contact information, insurance information and more.
One central place – Keeping a record in one place where you, your spouse, partner, or teen knows where to find all paperwork is a way to keep family “in the know.”
A historical record – Prompts your memory, allows you to check for errors, and can serve as a journal to track data over time that may lead to insights into or improvements in the health condition.
Sharing Information – Share health status and your child’s needs quickly and accurately among extended family; caregivers; doctors; therapists; child care or school staff; and at appointments, urgent care or during emergencies.
Applications – For state services, schools or camps, or for appealing decisions from government programs or insurance.
Proof – When you need to show why equipment, medicine or other care is necessary or that something happened.

You can use an app, an online service or good old paper and an accordion folder or binder.

Care Notebook to build your care organizer

How to Organize Your Child’s Medical Information – Parent Companion

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Parenting Support
Division of Developmental Disability
Diagnosis Specific
Concrete Supports
Feeding Resources
Early Support for Infants & Toddler (Birth-3)
Support for Children 3-5
Childcare

Parenting Support

The Arc of Tri-Cities Parent Coalition (English)
The Arc of Tri-Cities Parent Coalition (Spanish)

Perinatal Support Washington

Perinatal Support Washington (PS-WA) is a statewide non-profit committed to shining a light on perinatal mental health to support all families and communities. We support people in the emotional transition to parenthood, including those experiencing depression, anxiety, loss, infertility, trauma, and more.

Parent to Parent 2023 Schedule

Parent to Parent has a partnership with the Pasco, Kennewick & Richland School Districts to keep parents informed of services, events, support and navigating the system of support for developmental disabilities.

The Arc of Tri-Cities

The Arc of Tri-Cities focus is that individuals with developmental disabilities living in Benton and Franklin Counties are empowered to make informed choices and have services and supports to access those choices.

Guardianship and Conservatorship Guidebook

Dad Allies: Provider Learning Series | WA Interagency Fatherhood Council (wafatherhoodcouncil.org)

The Dad Allies Initiative established a series of responsive community, provider, and dad focused events to build Washington state’s father-friendly capacity to support dads to become the fathers their children and families need them to be.

These knowledge- and skill-building sessions with state and national presenters are held to strengthen our provider network to effectively engage and support fathers and father-figures.

Washington State Fathers Network

A Powerful Voice for Fathers and Families of Children with a Disability or Special Health Care Need.

Odessa Brown Children's Clinic Free Online Mindfulness Groups for Parents and Caregivers

The group offers drop-in clinics via Zoom Wednesday evenings. Teaching parents and caregivers about practicing mindfulness is a great way to support the parallel process. Zoom link provided in link above.

Division of Developmental Disability

DDA

For developmentally disabled children, adults, and seniors. DDA is the point of entry for developmentally disabled persons requesting division services. Provides residential services, therapeutic services, family support, alternative living, tenant support, group homes, specialized group homes, and information.

There are many steps to receiving services from the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA). Our updated flowchart walks you through the ins and outs of the eligibility process.DDA-Eligibility-Flow-Chart.pdf (informingfamilies.org)

Applying for Developmental Disability Services in Washington State Applying_DD_in_WA.pdf (informingfamilies.org)

DDA Q&A on the No Paid services caseload DDA Q&A on the No Paid Services Caseload | Informing Families

The Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) offers five Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Waivers:

Basic Plus
Children's Intensive In-home Behavioral Supports (CIIBS)
Community Protection
Core
Individual and Family Services (IFS).

Each of the five waivers provides an array of services tailored to the specific populations they serve. Waiver services provide additional support when Medicaid state plan services and other supports are not sufficient. For more information about the waiver program, go to the Services and Information Request form, contact your Case Resource Manager, Social Worker, or regional DDA office.

DDA Waiver Availability and How to Request | Informing Families

Receiving services from the Developmental Disabilities Administration is a multi-step process. DDA waivers are available, but you must request them. Check out this link to learn how to request services and waivers.

Service and Information Request | DSHS (wa.gov)

Developmental Disabilities Administration service and information request.

Informing Families

Informing Families is a resource provided by the Washington State Developmental Disabilities Council, in partnership with the Developmental Disabilities Administration. We offer trusted news and information to individuals and families that empowers them to be active participants in planning and building a network of support and opportunities.

Early-Childhood-Transition.pdf (informingfamilies.org)

Describes the role of DDA services for ages birth-3 and beyond.

In-home caregiver resource

Carina is a resource to help DDA eligible individuals and contracted caregivers connect with each other.

Diagnosis Specific

Autism Resource Directory

Tri-Cities Autism Resource Directory from the Arc of the Tri-Cities

Autism Center - Seattle Children’s (seattlechildrens.org)

To meet the growing need for high-quality treatment, the Autism Center recently moved to Seattle Children’s Magnuson. At roughly 16,000 square feet, the re-imagined center will allow us to provide family-focused care to 25 percent more children over the next 5 years. Magnuson is also our hub for autism research, outreach and training so we can keep improving access and outcomes.

NAA’s Big Red Safety Box® | National Autism Association

The Big Red Safety Box is a free-of-charge toolkit given to autism families in need as a means to educate, raise awareness and provide simple tools that may assist them in preventing, and responding to, wandering-related emergencies.

Cerebral Palsy Guide

Behavior Resources

Down Syndrome Association of the Mid-Columbia

The mission of the Down Syndrome Association of the Mid-Columbia is to enhance the lives of individuals with Down syndrome by providing support, resources and information to families and community members and by promoting a heightened awareness and acceptance of individuals with Down syndrome.

Concrete Supports

Medicaid Premium Payment Program

Families that have dual coverage for their child (private insurance and Medicaid), May be eligible for the Medicaid Premium Payment Program. This program may provide reimbursement for private health insurance coverage for those receiving Apple Health (Medicaid)

Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for Children Apply For A Child (Under Age 18) | Disability Benefits | SSA

CYSHCN-Managed Care Organization Contact List

Medicaid specialists for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs

2-1-1

Dial the numbers 211 or use the link to get connected to community resources statewide. Examples diaper banks, food, housing, employment, utilities, insurance, counseling and much more.

Community Resources – YARP Greater Columbia (kidsmentalhealthwa.org)

The Office of the Developmental Disabilities Ombuds (DD Ombuds) is a private, independent office focused on improving the lives of persons with developmental disabilities in Washington State. DD-Ombuds-Brochure-Current-English.pdf (ddombuds.org)

Parent Help 123

When you call Help Me Grow at 1-800-322-2588, we help you access the resources you need. Whether it be early childhood development screening, application assistance for health insurance, or help finding a food bank, parenting class or low-cost medical clinic, we are here to help.

People For People 211 Transportation Support

Non-Emergency Medical Transportation-Local trips require two (2) business days’ notice before your trip. Out-of-Area trips need five (5) business days’ notice before your trip. We accept trip requests up to 30 days in advance.

People for People Client Login

Benton Franklin Transit Reduced Fair Pass

Individuals that are non Dial-A-Ride eligible may qualify for a reduced pass with the following documentation:

Medicare card
Social Security Disability award letter
Department of Vocational Rehab (DVR) and Division of Developmental Disability (DDD) letter
Written attestation from a Medical/Mental Health care provider (On their letterhead or they can complete & sign our Reduced Fare application)
WA State Handicap Parking ID (permanent)

Feeding Resources

Washington Nutrition Network

This project supports nutrition services for children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN) and their families in Washington State.

Feeding Matters

Feeding Matters is the first organization in the world uniting the concerns of families with the field’s leading advocates, experts, and allied healthcare professionals to improve the system of care for pediatric feeding disorder through advocacy, education, support, and research.

Early detection and treatment of feeding problems are critical to the long-term health and well-being of affected children.

Home - Easy To Chew

This is a very neat website created by a dietitian, dentist, and public health nurse that showcases nutrient-dense puree and soft food recipes. They divide it up by meal, snack, side dishes, and smoothies. Recipes are also divided by texture (purees, soft foods, and advanced soft foods).

Early Support for Infants & Toddler (Birth-3)

Early Supports for Infants & Toddlers DCYF

Early intervention services are designed to enable children birth to 3 with developmental delays or disabilities to be active and successful during the early childhood years and in the future in a variety of settings—in their homes, in child care, in preschool or school programs, and in their communities.

ESD 123 Early Intervention

Children’s Developmental Center Early Intervention

Birth-3 Services Roadmap

From Birth to Three Toolkit

A guide from PAVE to Washington services for infants and toddlers (ages 0-3) with disabilities

Support for Children 3-5

Three to Five Transition Toolkit
A guide from PAVE to Washington services for 3-5 year olds with disabilities

Three to Five Transition Toolkit - Spanish
Partnerships for Action, Voices for Empowerment (PAVE) brinda apoyo, capacitación, información y recursos para empoderar y dar voz a personas, jóvenes y familias que se ven afectados por discapacidades.

Childcare

Childcare providers are covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act and are prohibited from discriminating a child on the basis of having a disability (ADA Title III). Commonly Asked Questions About Child Care Centers & the ADA can provide you more information about the ADA and Child Care Centers.

WAC 110-300-0030 Non-Discrimination
(1) Early learning programs are defined by state law as places of public accommodation that must:

(a) Not discriminate in employment practices or client services based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, honorably discharged veteran or military status, marital status, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, or ability; and

(b) Comply with the requirements of the Washington law against discrimination (chapter 49.60 RCW) and the ADA.

(2) An early learning program must have a written nondiscrimination policy addressing at least the factors listed in subsection (1) of this section.

Resources for families with special child-care needs | Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families

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