Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs
Project Description:
One in every five U.S. children has a special health care need, i.e., a chronic physical, developmental, behavioral, or emotional condition requiring substantial health-related services. State and national prevalence rates of children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN) continue to rise each year. CYSHCN are more likely to experience functional limitations in their day-to-day life, as well as academic challenges, social isolation, and other forms of adversity. In addition, having a child with a disability or chronic illness greatly impacts the entire family system. Families of CYSHCN experience more stress, social isolation, financial burdens, health problems, employment barriers, and caregiver burden when compared to other families. Furthermore, families of CYSHCN from non-English speaking households, versus those from English-speaking homes, face heightened stressors and are 43% less likely to receive emotional support with caregiving and 14% less likely to live in a supportive neighborhood. Understanding the unique experiences of CYSHCN families among the nation's increasingly diverse populations is the primary focus of this paper. This contract aims to assess the needs and provide resources for families across all NYS geographic and cultural backgrounds with a special focus on Spanish, Chinese, and English-speaking families across four domains – (1) the diagnostic process, (2) access to essential services, (3) community integration, and (4) social supports.
Keyword(s):
Adolescent Health, Mental/Behavioral Health – Autism, Clinical Care, Developmental Disabilities, Early Childhood – General, Emergency Services for Children – General, Epilepsy, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, Health Care Transition, Health Equity, Health Insurance, Heritable Disorders (excluding sickle cell), Immunizations, Life Course Approach, Medical Home, Mental/Behavioral Health – General , Nutrition, Obesity, Oral Health, Preventive Services, Sickle Cell Disease, Social Determinants of Health, Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults with Special Health Care Needs, Telehealth
Core Function(s):
Performing Research or Evaluation, Developing & Disseminating Information, Continuing Education/Community Training
Area of Emphasis
Education & Early Intervention, Child Care-Related Activities, Health-Related Activities, Employment-Related Activities, Recreation-Related Activities, Other - Cultural Diversity, Other
Target Audience:
Professionals and Para-Professionals, Family Members/Caregivers, Children/Adolescents with Disabilities/SHCN
Unserved or Under-served Populations:
Racial or Ethnic Minorities, Disadvantaged Circumstances, Limited English, Geographic Areas, Rural/Remote, Urban
Primary Target Audience Geographic Descriptor:
State
COVID-19 Related Data:
N/A
