Care Coordination for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs
The Health Care Coordination services provided by the Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN) Program is designed to support families and health care providers in ensuring children and youth with special health needs receive the appropriate care and services to achieve optimal health, development, and quality of life.
Care Coordination services are available to families of children and youth from birth to age 21 that have, or are at risk for, chronic medical conditions, behavioral and emotional conditions.
How We Assist:
Most often care coordination services are provided by phone and help families with:
- Insurance Appeals & Application Processes: Assisting families in navigating insurance challenges, including appealing denials and understanding eligibility for health coverage.
- Advocacy: Representing the interests of families in healthcare settings to ensure children receive the services they need.
- System Navigation: Helping families understand and move through complex care systems, from finding specialists to understanding available services.
- Referrals: Connecting families to providers, specialists, and community resources that meet their child's unique needs.
- Resources and Support Systems: Identify and facilitate access to a range of resources, including community organizations and services that support children and families.
To reach our Health Care Coordinator you can fill out the General Contact Request Form, call 1-207-287-5357 or email MCH.CDC@maine.gov. After submitting the form, a member of our team will reach out to you within two business days to discuss your child's special health care needs and offer support in navigating services.
Who is eligible?
Residents of Maine, from birth to age 21 who may have long-term chronic medical, behavioral, and/or emotional conditions that require ongoing or specialized care.
Family Support Navigators Program
The Maine Parent Federation (MPF) receives funding to provide valuable support to families of children with special health care needs through its Family Support Navigator Program. This program includes Family Consultants and Regional Coordinators roles for the Parent-to-Parent program, each offering distinct services to families.
Family Consultants: Parents or guardians of children with special health care needs who have professional experience navigating the health care and service delivery systems. They offer direct peer support to families using a family-centered approach. Their main goals are to:
- Help families navigate systems of care
- Increase access to services
- Improve outcomes for families
They provide personalized assistance, help families understand and access available resources, and offer guidance through complex systems.
Regional Coordinators: Parents or guardians of children with special health care needs. They provide resources and information to families, health care providers, and community agencies. Their areas of expertise include:
- Insurance
- MaineCare
- Special Education
- Transition to adult health care services
- State services like Katie Beckett
- Connecting families with community-based services
These coordinators act as a bridge between families and available resources, ensuring families are informed and connected to the services they need.
Maine Parent Federation ensures families have access to the information and support they need to make informed decisions and navigate the challenges of raising children with special health care needs. Learn more about Maine Parent Federation and The Family Support Navigators Program on their website or call 207-588-1933.
Planning to Transition to Adult Health Care?
Do you have special health care needs and are you preparing to transition from pediatric health care to adult health care?
These links provide age specific questions, to help you prepare.
How can Care Coordination help Providers?
- Work to find solutions for patients who are "falling though the cracks"
- Provide support, information, and networking
- Assist with MaineCare concerns
- Serve as an advocate
- Find services
- Care Coordination - Brochure (PDF)
- Care Coordination-Provider Presentation (PDF)
- For billing or policy questions contact a Provider Relations Specialist (PDF)
To learn more, contact the CYSHCN Health Care Coordinator
Email: MCH.CDC@maine.gov
Phone: 207-287-5357
TTY: Maine relay 711
Fax: (207) 287-5355