Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs

Children and Youth with Special Healthcare Needs program, also known as “CYSHCN,” assists parents of children aged from birth to 18 with specialized healthcare needs. The program is client-centered, coordinated and comprehensive. CYSHCN is organized with the family in mind to provide more easily accessible resources within Chelan and Douglas County.

CYSHCN promotes an integrated system of services for infants, children and youth up to age 18 who may have or are at risk for medical, physical, developmental or behavioral healthcare conditions which require an extension of healthcare related services beyond primary care. The program supports families with resources and linkages to community services including support, coordination and health education.

Eligibility

There is no income eligibility requirement to enroll into the CYSHCN program at Chelan-Douglas Health District.

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.

Referrals

Parents, doctor offices, hospitals, and community organizations can make referrals by filling out the referral form and submitting it

Reasons for CYSHCN Public Health Nurse Referrals – The child has complex health needs and the family needs assistance with:

Finding or coordinating medical or behavioral health providers
Accessing local resources and/or services for a child
Finding financial assistance for a child’s health-related needs
Understanding and/or coping with a 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 for these children, with a note that CPS referral has been made; the CYSHCN staff will make every effort to coordinate with the CPS caseworker.

Benefits

Initial home visit by a Public Health Nurse to provide family support.
Care Coordination between all of the child’s medical providers.
Health Education to better understand the child’s development, feeding, nutrition, growth and behavior.
Resource Referral to developmental services, insurance programs or parent support organizations.

CONTACT CYSHCN

Address

200 Valley Mall Parkway

East Wenatchee, WA 98802

Phone/Fax

Phone Number: 509-886-6400

Fax: 509-886-6478

Hours of Operation

Monday-Thursday 9AM – 5PM

Emergency Preparedness for Children and Youth with Special Healthcare Needs

All children have unique needs during an emergency. For some children, preparedness planning is often more complicated. Families of children with complex healthcare needs are often focused on meeting the day-to-day needs of their child. It is important to consider the needs of your child in a disaster or emergency.

Think about potential situations that may affect your family: natural disasters, fires, wildfire smoke, droughts, power outages, pandemics, and terrorism.

Ask your child's doctor about how to get prescriptions filled during an emergency.
- How can I keep refrigerated medications cool during a power loss?
Be prepared with back up energy supply if required for your child's healthcare needs.
- In a power outage, how do I feed my child who requires a mechanical feeding?
- In a power outage, how long does my child’s oxygen or ventilator last?
- Where is the best place to go if our back-up power plan fails?
Talk with family members, friends, and neighbors about their experiences in your community. Make a family communication plan! (plan de comunicación)

Register your child who would need additional help during an evacuation due to mobility, hearing, speech or other issues that would hamper their ability to evacuate on their own.

More information! (Más información)