CHILDREN AND YOUTH WITH SPECIAL HEALTH CARE NEEDS PROGRAM

Now available for eligible residents

NEW CITY, NY, - - Rockland County Executive Ed Day and County Health Commissioner Dr. Patricia Schnabel Ruppert announce the Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs Program (CYSHCN). This program, now available to eligible Rockland County residents, aims to connect families to support networks that understand the challenges of caring for children and youth with special health care needs.

CYSHCN assists families with children from birth to twenty-one (21) years of age that have a chronic physical, developmental, behavioral, or emotional condition and require health and related services beyond that generally required by children.

A few examples of conditions include intellectual disability, substance abuse disorder, autism, or ASD, cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy, arthritis, allergies, asthma, sickle cell anemia, diabetes, heart conditions, diabetes, depression, conduct disorder, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety, cystic fibrosis, head injury, Tourette syndrome, blood disorders, epilepsy, and vision or hearing problems. For more information about qualifying conditions, contact a CYSHCN specialist to complete an assessment.

"At the health department, we envision optimal health and quality of life for all children and youth with special health needs and their families. This program can assist families by supporting and educating them on the availability of services," said Dr. Ruppert.

The program provides information, timely and appropriate referrals, and community resources that are child and family-specific to enhance a child's quality of life.

To speak to a CYSHCN Specialist, contact Nancy Haggerty at (845) 364-3394 or haggertn@co.rockland.ny.us.  For more information, visit: http://bit.ly/CYSHCN-Rockland.