Children and Youth with Special Healthcare Needs

The CYSHCN (often pronounced "shin") program serves families with Children from birth to age 21 who have or are suspected of having a serious or chronic physical, developmental, behavioral, or emotional condition, and who require health care and related services beyond that which children generally need.

The CYSHCN program: 

• Identifies resources to help meet the needs of families with children with special health care needs.
• Provides information and referral services to promote access to adequate health care, health insurance, Medicaid managed care, NYS and local community resources, supports, and services to address the special health care needs of the child as well as attending to the social determinants health which impact the child and family (including housing, food, clothing, transportation, etc.)
• Supports families in navigating systems of care by referring families to care coordinating agencies, and/or working in conjunctions with other agencies to help with applications to gain access to resources, supports and services.
• Offers follow up and short term case management as necessary.

CYSHCN collaborates with other programs, organizations, and individuals in the community to:

• Identify gaps and barriers to accessing care, resources, and services and works toward closing the gaps and removing the barriers.
• Promote education regarding the needs of children with chronic illnesses and/or disabilities.

Referral sources for CYSHCN include parents, physicians, hospitals, Dept of Social Services and other community agencies working with the family. 

CYSHCN is voluntary and is provided at no direct cost to families.