Basic Services
Clinical and Behavioral Health Services
CHSC provides community-based, family-centered clinical services to children who have special physical or mental health care needs. We assess a child’s development, health problem, or behavioral issue; then make recommendations to improve the situation. Sometimes, to save family travel time and expense, we use telehealth technology to consult with specialty providers distantly located from a family’s community. Family support, care coordination, and referrals for early intervention or other follow-up services are always offered. We also stay in close contact with a child’s medical home primary care provider. For further information, please contact the nearest CHSC Regional Center.
Care Coordination
Care coordination helps families organize needed services so that they can be used easily. Children with special health care needs often need services from several providers or agencies. CHSC care coordinators are located statewide and are experts in assuring a family-centered, community-based approach to the effective and efficient use of services and resources. The ultimate goal is to help families improve outcomes for their children. We also help primary care medical homes coordinate services for pediatric patients with special health care needs and their families.
Family-to-Family Support
CHSC proudly supports family involvement. Our statewide team of experienced parent consultants provides families one-on-one problem-solving and emotional support as they care for their children with special health care needs. The team also helps families to be active participants in care planning and obtaining the services their children need. Parent team leaders participate in all CHSC program development and decision-making activities. For further information, please contact the nearest CHSC Regional Center.
Public Health
CHSC is dedicated to improving the system of care for Iowa’s children with special health care needs and their families. To accomplish this, we promote high quality services, like those that are offered in a medical home. We support policies and programs that maximize the health of children and families. We also help train other service providers to be more skilled, for example in identifying and serving children with hearing problems, autism, or other developmental problems. Being a partner and working with other child health and family advocacy organizations is one our most important public health activities.