Special Needs Community Outreach

Experiences to Share

Partnering
Many counties found the best way to reach children with Special Health Care Needs is to partner with local agencies and individuals. For instance:

Health Check coordinators have built a working relationship with agencies such as: Community Based Services (CBS), Child Development Services (CDS), Deaf & Hard of Hearing (EIC) for them to have materials on hand for individuals who are in need of medical insurance. --Annie Locklear, Scotland County

Other agencies include

• D.E.C. (Jackson, Cleveland)
• Local Interagency Coordinating Council (LICC) (Madison, New Hanover)
• Child Health Meetings (Madison)
• Area W.I.C. centers (Jackson)
• In a coalition with Mental Health and the Division of Services for the Blind, located within the Department of Social Services (Robeson)

Individuals include

• Child Service Coordinators (CSCs) (Warren, Forsyth, Cleveland)
• Carolina Access II/III case managers (Forsyth)
• Child health staff (Perquimans)
• Pediatric/Handicap DDS (Wake)
• and other healthcare providers (Columbus, Cleveland)

We work with the school nurses to stay aware of the needs in our community. We serve on an asthma task force to seek out any child that needs special attention. -- Wilma Young, Haywood

We make sure that day care directors, medical providers and insurance agents & brokers are aware of the definitions of the special needs child and waivers possible to meet those needs.
-- Harriett Marlor, Buncombe County

Getting information directly in the hands of parents can be done through Smart Start and Head Start meetings (Jackson). One county (Person) uses the schools and special needs classrooms to directly target parents of special health care needs children.

I made a brochure answering questions and listing agencies, which may be of interest to parents of children with special needs. This brochure is included with my outreach presentations.
--Ann Bolen, Brunswick County

How to make sure that outreach efforts include children with special health care needs (CSHCN)

1. Make sure that part of your outreach effort is targeted to families who have children with special health care needs.
   
   Often these families learn about health care resources through organizations like those listed under #2 and #3 below.
   
   Many parents of children with special health care needs have been repeatedly denied health insurance due to their child's preexisting condition. Also, parents of CSHCN may need more information than other families about both the full range of benefits available and the structure of the program so that they can decide if the programs are right for their child.
2. Work through already established networks of families of CSHCN, or agencies/organizations who serve them. The two largest organizations serving this population in NC are:
   
   
   • Exceptional Children's Assistance Center - www.ecac-parentcenter.org.
     
     ECAC is the statewide Parent Training and Information Center for North Carolina families of children with disabilities.
     
     They offer a variety of non-cost services to families, including a toll-free Parent Information Line [1-800-962-6817], web site, workshops for parents and professionals, lending library, information packets, and newsletter.
     
     ECAC has offices in Raleigh, Davidson and Asheville.
     
     
   • Family Support Network of NC - www.fsnnc.org
     
     The Family Support Network of North Carolina provides support and information to families of children with or at risk for special needs and to the service providers who work with them across the state.
     
     This organization administers eighteen local Family Support Programs (covering 56 counties) that provide information about local resources and services to families and service providers. Programs match families for emotional support, information, and resources.
     
     FSN NC also coordinates a project for families of foster children, a Central Directory of Resources [toll-free hotline (800) 852-0042], and the North Carolina Early Intervention Mentor Program.
     

     Note: The Exceptional Children's Assistance Center and the Family Support Network of NC can link you with local agencies & organizations and/or family support groups who serve families of CSHCN.

3. Identify local organizations in your county that serve children with special health care needs. Look in the phone book, search the web, or call the Special Needs Helpline for assistance.
   
   Interested agencies might include: United Way, ARC, Beginnings, Autism Society, Cystic Fibrosis Society, United Cerebral Palsy, Vocational Rehabilitation, Developmental Evaluation Centers, Easter Seals, TEACCH Regional Centers, community action agencies, Assistive Technology Resource Centers, Association of Self-Advocates, Area Mental Health Programs, local chambers of commerce, etc.

Who can I call if I have questions?
The Children with Special Needs Helpline (1-800-737-3028) is available to families and professionals Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The Helpline provides a variety of information, including:

• Information and application materials for Health Check and NC Health Choice.
• Referrals to state and local resources for children with special health care needs.
• Problem-solving for families enrolled in Health Check or NC Health Choice.
• Referrals for families with unmet needs.

If you or a family you are working with have questions about NC Health Choice, or about services for children with special health care needs in North Carolina, please do not hesitate to contact the Children with Special Needs Helpline at 1-800-737-3028.