Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN): New York State
ACT for Youth is funded by the New York State Department of Health to serve as the Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN — pronounced "shin") Program Center of Excellence (COE). We collaborate with local CYSHCN Programs to improve systems of care and to support families, caregivers, children, and youth across New York State.
Involving families, youth, and community partners in this work is critical to our understanding of unique lived experiences. Families facing special health care needs often find it difficult to piece together everything they need for their children to flourish. Local CYSHCN Programs help make that journey less onerous by bridging the gaps between families and services wherever possible. Together, CYSHCN Programs, the COE, community partners, and people with lived experience help build the conditions for young people and families to thrive.
The CYSHCN acronym originates from the U.S. Maternal and Child Health Bureau. Children and youth (from birth to age 21) who have or are at increased risk for physical, intellectual, developmental, and/or behavioral or emotional conditions fall under the "CYSHCN" umbrella.
Resources for Families and Caregivers
Program Directory
Local CYSHCN Programs are active in nearly every county in New York State as well as New York City. These Programs offer families guidance and referrals to services.
Resources for CYSHCN Program Staff
The ACT for Youth CYSHCN COE directly supports local CYSHCN Programs through training, technical assistance, and web-based resources. To set the stage for learning together as a community, we host regular meetings through which CYSHCN Program staff can connect with each other and with ACT for Youth.
CYSHCN Program Resource Center
Designed for CYSHCN Program staff throughout New York State, the Resource Center is where Program staff will find tools and guidance to help you meet your goals on behalf of children and families.
