Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN)

The Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs Program seeks to improve the system of care for children and youth with special health care needs from birth and up to 21 years of age and their families. The Program helps to shape public policy so families can get the best health care for their children.

Children served by the CYSHCN Program have an illness or condition for which they need extra health care and support services. These children might have a serious or long-lasting:

• Physical condition,
• Intellectual or developmental disability, and/or
• Behavioral or emotional condition.

Conditions include but not limited to ADD or ADHD, allergies, anxiety, arthritis/joint problems, asthma, autism or autism spectrum disorder, behavioral/conduct problem, blood disorders, Cerebral Palsy, Cystic Fibrosis, depression, developmental delay, diabetes, Down syndrome, epilepsy/seizure disorder, genetic or inherited condition, head injury, hearing problem, heart problem, intellectual disability, learning difficulty, migraines, other mental health condition, muscular dystrophy, sickle cell anemia, speech or language disorder, substance use disorder, Tourette syndrome, and vision problem. The program is not limited to these conditions. Please reference the NYS Health Conditions Guide for further information on conditions covered by the program.

Referrals for CYSHCN 

Please fill-out this Children and Youth with Special Healthcare Needs Questionnaire for a referral to the CYSHCN program. You may call the office with any questions.

Contact Information

Phone: 607-753-5120

Fax: 607-261-1281

Hours

Monday - Friday

8 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Fees

There is no cost to families.

Helpful Resources

Healthcare & Your Child/Youth with Special Needs

• Learn how to Partner with Your Child's Provider (PDF).
• Find out how to Partner with Your Child's Health Plan (PDF).
• Learn how to have a healthy transition moving from pediatric to adult health care on the Healthy Transitions New York website.
• For pregnant mothers or mothers of infants under 2 months of age, please visit CAPCO Healthy Family Program.
• Qualifying children and youth up to age 21 may benefit from the Health Homes Serving Children program (HHSC).

Education & Your Child / Youth with Special Needs

• Learn how to Get Help at School for Your Child with a Disability (PDF).
• Find tips for a successful IEP meeting.
• Check out Parent to Parent NYS Website
• For families who qualify, Office of People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) can provide case management, respite, home modifications, and additional resources. Visit the OPWDD website.

College/Employment Transition Services for Youth

Visit the New York State Education website for more information about college or employment transition for Youth.

New York State Department of Health Resources

Find more information about the Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs program on the New York State Department of Health website.