Project Description:
About the CSHCN Technical Assistance Project
The Texas Department of State Health Services has contracted with Texas Institute for Child and Family Wellbeing (TXICFW) for the Children with Special Health Care Needs (CSHCN) Technical Assistance project. This is a capacity building project to improve family supports and community resources (FSCR) for children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN) in areas around the state. In particular, we are hoping to collaborate with organizations to build capacity in areas with CYSHCN that are underserved or where more support is needed. TXICFW analyzed county-level data related to health disparities and have identified some regions that could be appropriate for additional supports offered through this project.
The goal of the project is to improve family supports and community resources (FSCR) for children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN) in areas around the state. In particular, we are hoping to work in areas with CYSHCN that are underserved or where more support is needed.
About the Outreach Interviews
The CSHCN Technical Assistance team is conducting outreach interviews to learn more from organizations and community members who provide services and supports to children and families in each identified region. We would like to invite you to a 30-minute informal meeting with a team member over the phone or virtually to share your experiences in providing services for CSHCN families in your area.
About the Learning Cohort
The CSHCN-TA project now runs as a Learning Cohort (the "Family Support Leadership Collaborative"), offering a series of webinars and sessions to help partner organizations build capacity. Sessions to date have covered topics such as:
Understanding Family Supports and Community Resources
Funding Options & Opportunities
Grant Writing & Budget Development
Grant & Budget Management
Needs Assessments
Developing Partnerships
Additional sessions are planned on Program Development, Youth and Family Engagement, Evaluation and Success Stories, and Communication, Growth, and Sustainability, running through early 2027. Each session includes a webinar recording, a "Resource Corner" of supporting materials, and an evaluation form.
Keyword(s):
Adolescent Health, Developmental Disabilities, Health Equity, Mental/Behavioral Health – General , Technical Assistance, Children with special health care needs
Area of Emphasis
Education & Early Intervention, Child Care-Related Activities, Health-Related Activities, Quality of Life, Other - Assistive Technology, Other - Cultural Diversity, Other - Leadership
Target Audience:
Community Trainees / Short term trainees, Professionals and Para-Professionals, Family Members/Caregivers, Adults with Disabilities, Children/Adolescents with Disabilities/SHCN, General Public
Unserved or Under-served Populations:
Racial or Ethnic Minorities, Disadvantaged Circumstances, Limited English, Geographic Areas, Rural/Remote, Urban, Territory, Specific Groups
Primary Target Audience Geographic Descriptor:
Single-County, Mulit-County, State, Regional
COVID-19 Related Data:
N/A
