Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN)

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Resource Centers

• Regional Centers: There are five Regional Centers dedicated to supporting families with children and youth with special healthcare needs and the providers who serve them.

National Center: National Center for Ease of Use of Community-Based Services

• Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council: The Centers for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs are dedicated to supporting Native American families with special needs children and the providers who serve them.

National Center: National Center for Cultural Competence

• First Step: A 24-hour Wisconsin hotline staffed by Parent Specialists with access to an extensive online directory of community services.

• Family Partnerships: Family Voices of Wisconsin and Parent to Parent of Wisconsin are key support organizations that advise and collaborate with the CYSHCN Program to strengthen parent leadership, support and training.

National Centers: Family Voices and Parent to Parent USA

• Medical Home: The Wisconsin Medical Home Initiative provides primary care outreach, training and technical assistance to primary care providers, families and other key partners.

National Center: National Center for Medical Home Implementation

• Health Benefits: ABC for Health offers resources to help families with CYSHCN as they seek to acquire adequate private and/or public insurance coverage.

National Center: Catalyst Center for Children & Youth with Special Health Care Needs

• Oral Health: The mission of the DHS Oral Health Program is to promote and improve oral health for the benefit of all Wisconsin citizens.

Statewide: Wisconsin Oral Health Coalition

National Center: National Maternal & Child Oral Resource Center

• Youth Health Transition: The American Family Children's Hospital offers resources to youth with special health care needs and their families as they engage in the process of moving from pediatric to adult health care.

National Center: National Health Care Transition Center

Newborn Screening

The Wisconsin Newborn Screening Program oversees the screening of infants for nearly 50 disorders, helping to assure that newborns are diagnosed and treated for a variety of preventable conditions present at birth.

National Center: National Newborn Screening and Genetics Resource Center

Hearing Screening

Wisconsin Sound Beginnings promotes universal newborn hearing screening and follow-up including the parent support program, Guide by Your Side. The WE-TRAC data system supports a coordinated system of screening and early intervention by no later than 6 months of age.

National Center: National Center for Hearing Assessment and Management  

Birth Defects Prevention

The Wisconsin Birth Defects Prevention and Surveillance Program maintains a confidential registry to collect and monitor information about birth defects, coordinates a statewide referral system, initiates prevention activities and promotes access to services.

National Center: National Birth Defects Prevention Network

Last Updated: March 07, 2013