Children Ages 3 to 18
As your child with special health care needs grows, help is available to coordinate your child's care.
Children and Youth 3 to 18 Years
When your child turns three, you can access services through your local school district through a system called ChildFind. You may also want to learn more about eligibility with the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA). The Informing Families Network has information and resources about the DDA process and services.
Your insurance provider may have care coordinators available to help you navigate benefits for special needs. Contact your insurance provider to find out more, or call the Help Me Grow Washington Hotline at 1-800-322-2588.
If you have concerns about your child’s development or have a child that has already been diagnosed with a behavioral, emotional, developmental or physical condition, the Children with Special Health Care Needs Program (CSHCN) can help.
What can we do for you and your family?
CSHCN Coordinators are public health nurses who can:
- Help your family access needed services for your child
- Refer families to health insurance programs, both private insurance and the state-funded Medicaid program.
- Help connect you with other families through parent support organizations
- Help with concerns such as feeding, nutrition, growth, development, and behavior
- Provide screening and assessment for your child
Who can get help?
Children birth to 18 years of age who:
- Have, or are at risk of having, a serious physical, developmental, behavioral, or emotional condition, and
- Require health and related services of a type and amount beyond what is generally required, and are
- Residents of Washington State
Older children can get helpful information about making the transition to adult health care, and your family will be provided with information about resources for your child.
In addition to assisting families and children with special needs, the CSHCN program works at the state level to:
- Identify and address health system issues that impact this population
- Find ways to improve and enhance system infrastructure and quality
- Evaluate and assess programs and services
- Influence priority setting, planning, and policy development
- Support parent organizations in developing and distributing health and resource information to families
- Support community efforts that assure the health and well-being of children with special health care needs and their families