Children with Special Healthcare Needs

Mission Statement

Our mission is to promote integrated systems of care that assure children with special health care needs have the opportunity to achieve the healthiest life possible and develop to their fullest potential. We promote access to integrated, family centered, culturally competent and community based programs and services.

What is Children with Special Health Care Needs?

The Children with Special Health Care Needs program assists parents that have children with special needs through home or office visits. A public health nurse or Community Health Worker assists parents that have children with special needs, birth to 18 years old, access health care and any other support services the family may need.

The program promotes an integrated system of services for infants, children and youth up to age 18 years who have or are at risk for chronic physical, developmental, behavioral, or emotional conditions and require health and related services of a type or amount beyond what is generally needed. The program supports families with resources and linkages to community services including family support, care coordination, and health information.

Eligibility

This a FREE service for infants, children and youth ages Birth up to 18 years who are diagnosed with a complex health condition or are at risk for chronic physical, developmental, behavioral, or emotional conditions that require health and related services of a type or amount beyond what is generally needed.

Referrals

Reasons for Columbia County 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 their child
  • Finding financial assistance for their child's health-related needs
  • Understanding and/or coping with child's health condition

Benefits

  • Home visiting by a Public Health Nurse to provide family support.
  • Care Coordination between all of your child's medical providers.
  • Health Education to better understand your child's development, feeding, nutrition, growth and behavior.
  • Resource Referral to development services, insurance programs or parent support organizations.

Contact

To make an appointment contact the Columbia County Public Health staff.