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Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN) Systems Development Group

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We work to improve community-based services for children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN) to improve systems of care. This includes clients receiving health care benefits through the Health and Human Services Commission’s CSHCN Services Program.

 Who are CYSHCN?


CYSHCN are children who have or are at increased risk for chronic physical, developmental, behavioral, or emotional conditions. They also require health and related services of a specific type or amount beyond than required by children generally.

This website is designed for families, self-advocates, health care professionals, educators, and all others working to improve the quality of life and well-being of CYSHCN and their families.

What Guides Our Work

  • In 2022, our federal partner, the Maternal and Child Health Bureau, released the Blueprint for Change: A National Framework for a System of Services for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs. The Blueprint outlines a strategic plan to help CYSHCN thrive and enjoy a full life in their community from childhood to adulthood. The program works to make system changes to make this vision a reality.
  • The National Standards of Care for CYSHCN grew from decades of work to establish an endorsed set of standards that could be used and applied within health care systems to improve quality and outcomes for CYSHCN. The system standards were developed by a national work group comprised of state and national leaders with expertise in CYSHCN, health systems, and quality measurement. A toolkit to streamline the Standards for easier use by states and stakeholders is available HERE.

Popular Resources


Announcements

  • The Transition to Adulthood Learning Collaborative (TALC) meets quarterly via webinar. All are welcome to join us! Sign up if would like to receive future meeting invites.
  • Sign up to receive our CYSHCN monthly resource newsletter to stay informed on upcoming events, new publications, and other materials that help support our kids and families.

The Texas Department of State Health Services provides external links as resources but does not endorse any site. For more information about Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs, Maternal and Child Health, or maternal and child health in Texas, please email CSHCNSDG@dshs.texas.gov or call 512-776-7373.