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Children and Youth With Special Health Care Needs Supportive Services

How can the Children and Youth With Special Health Care Needs Supportive Services help you?

The Children and Youth With Special Health Care Needs Supportive Services (CYSHCN-SS) provides limited financial assistance for medical care and support services to children who have access or functional needs.

If your child is eligible, a staff member will assist your family in coordinating medical services for your child and also help you to obtain financial assistance for approved medical care.  If needed, referrals can be made to other programs that would benefit your child, such as support groups or other community agencies.


Who do I contact?

If you have questions after reading the below information, please contact 845-292-5910 x 2202.


How is eligibility determined?   In order to be considered for financial assistance, a child must be:

  • under the age of 21 
  • a resident of Sullivan County 
  • medically eligible 
  • financially eligible

Medical Eligibility
A physician's diagnosis and accompanying medical summary are reviewed by our contracted physician to determine medical eligibility.

Eligible conditions include birth defects, physical handicaps that can be corrected or improved, and other conditions where treatment and early intervention will benefit your child.


Financial Eligibility
If your child meets the medical requirements, and your family is seeking financial support, your financial situation will be reviewed to determine the amount of assistance that can be provided to you. All reviews are kept confidential. By law, all sources of private and public health insurance must be used before program funds can be issued.


What types of medical conditions may be eligible for services?
Some of the conditions covered include:

  • orthopedic 
  • asthma (chronic) 
  • cancer 
  • congenital abnormalities (such as cardiac disease or spina bifida) 
  • cerebral palsy 
  • convulsive seizures 
  • hearing disorders 
  • paraplegia 
  • quadriplegia 
  • State law specifically excludes children needing custodial care, and children with emotional, behavioral, or learning disorders, when those children do not have a disability.

What types of medical services may be provided for your child?
The Children and Youth With Special Health Care Needs Supportive Services (CYSHCN-SS) provides financial assistance for eligible medical services provided by doctors and surgeons who are approved by the New York State Department of Health.

CYSHCN-SS not only helps pay for treatment, but may also help pay for other medical necessities, such as:

  • wheelchairs 
  • braces 
  • hearing aids 
  • medications 
  • medication supplies

Diagnostic & Evaluation Program
Where can your child go for the initial diagnosis and evaluation of a possible physical disability?

The Children and Youth With Special Health Care Needs Supportive Services can refer your child to an approved medical specialty center or specialist under the Diagnosis and Evaluation (D&E) Program. These services are available regardless of income. Once an eligible medical condition is identified, an application is completed for the treatment program. Your child does not have to be in the Children and Youth With Special Health Care Needs Supportive Services to qualify for the D&E Program