Children with Special Health Care Needs Services Program

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Mission: To support family-centered, community-based strategies for improving the quality of life for children with special health care needs and their families.

The Children with Special Health Care Needs (CSHCN) Services Program provides services to children with extraordinary medical needs, disabilities, and chronic health conditions. The CSHCN Services Program's health care benefits include payments for medical care, family support services , and related services not covered by Medicaid, CHIP, private insurance, or other “third party payors.” The program also contracts with agencies throughout the state to provide an array of clinical and support services to children with special health care needs and their families. The CSHCN Services Program also assists children and their families by supporting case management at DSHS regional offices throughout Texas.

The CSHCN Services Program is funded through the Title V Block Grant from the federal government for maternal and child health programs and through state funds. Title V was part of the original Social Security Act, and the CSHCN Services Program has served children with special needs since 1933. The CSHCN Services Program is focused on improving the lives of people with disabilities and children with chronic health conditions throughout its activities. Click on the links to the left for detailed information about the program.

Because CSHCN Services Program funds are limited, there may be a waiting list for health care benefits. When funds are available, the program may be able to remove clients from the waiting list and begin providing health care benefits through enrolled CSHCN Services providers. It is important to renew eligibility to maintain placement on the waiting list by renewing every six months.

Families of children with special health care needs, including those on the waiting list for CSHCN health benefits, may be eligible to receive case management services. To find a case manager, please click here to go to the list of regional offices in the state.

CSHCN Inquiry Line at 1-800-252-8023

Children With Special Health Care Needs Services Program
Department of State Health Services, MC 1938
P.O. Box 149347
Austin, TX 78714-9347

1-800-252-8023 -- Toll Free
512/458-7355 -- Local
512/458-7417 -- Fax

As of 9/1/04, the Purchased Health Services Unit administers the following programs within the Specialized Health Services Section of the Division for Family and Community Health Services: the Glenda Dawson Donate Life - Texas Registry; the Children With Special Health Care Needs Services Program; the Hemophilia Assistance Program; and the Kidney Health Care Program.

Last Updated September 19, 2008