Our Mission

This project is a collaborative effort between Westchester Institute for Human Development (WIHD) and  28 Local Health Departments (LHDs) across New York State (NYS).

To positively impact the lives of Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN) and their families by assisting Local Health Departments (LHDs) in providing needed and appropriate services.

Westchester Institute for Human Development will:

  • Engage families and youth in meaningful conversations with our family specialists
  • Provide training and technical assistance to local health departments
  • Collect regional resources to create a resource directory for families and youth impacted by special health care needs.

We will we do this by:

  • Collecting information on regional resources for your county (Make a referral for our resource directory)
  • Conducting needs assessments for LHD’s
  • Engaging with families of CYSHCN to learn about their experiences
  • Providing technical assistance to LHD’s
  • Collecting and developing educational print materials for providers and caregivers
  • Developing Public Service Announcements and  webinars
  • Developing video vignettes about important health related topics

For more information about this program, please contact rsc@wihd.org

Also, see the collaborative project website at: 
Regional Support Centers (RSCs) for the Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN) Program (the CYSHCN Project)

Educational Video Library

Multiple Systems Navigator

The Multiple Systems Navigator provides education, human services, and disability information for families and caregivers of children with special healthcare needs. The video provides an overview of how to use the Multiple Systems Navigator.

Featured organization: Multiple Systems Navigator
Target audience: Families of children and young adults ages 0-21 years old with special health care need(s)

Parent Advocacy Webinar

One hour webinar featuring two dynamic speakers with both personal and professional advocacy experience from University of Rochester Medical Center highlighting types, tips and systems surrounding advocacy.

Target audience: Families of children and young adults ages 0-21 years old with special health care need(s)

Health Care Transition

All adolescents will, in time, move from children’s health care services (otherwise known as pediatric health care services) to adult health care services. Health Care Transition (HCT) is the process of getting ready for the move. It is not a single event.  It’s important to keep in mind that HCT is not a “one size fits all” process. We all have different needs, abilities, and preferences. In this video we will look at some guidelines and issues to be aware of, but HCT needs to be individualized to come up with the best fit for each youth and their family or caregivers.

Target audience: Families of children and young adults ages 0-21 years old with special health care need(s)

Shifting the Mindset – Rethinking the IEP Process

Interactive dialogue for parents/caregivers, educators, and professionals with Naomi Brickel, an expert on family and youth engagement, centered around shifting the mindset in special education, person-centeredness, and strength-based engagement. A conversation on: equal partners in the IEP process, individual as part of the conversation, and a parent and professional’s perspective engaging and understanding the IEP process.

Target audience: Parents/caregivers, educators and professionals

Learn the Signs Act Early- Empowering Parents’ Developmental Knowledge

Dr. Elizabeth Isakson discusses key early concepts related to developmental milestones, developmental monitoring, and developmental screening. She also discussed recent changes to the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) developmental milestone guidelines and how they might impact families of young children.

Target audience: Parents/caregivers, educators and professionals

To view this presentation in Mandarin, please click here

This presentation will also be available in Spanish. Please check back soon. 

Health Care Transitions

In this webinar, the transition from pediatric to adult health care for children and youth with special health care needs is discussed with speakers Dennis Kuo, MD, MHS, Lisa Latten, MS Ed, and Jeiri Flores.

Target audience: Parents/caregivers, educators and professionals

To view this presentation in Mandarin, please click here

To view this presentation in Spanish, please click here

Local Health Department (LHD) Webinars

“Transitions” from Early Intervention to Preschool to School Age

A discussion on these stages of transitions for children and youth with special health care needs from several perspectives, including parental experiences, advocacy, the roles of providers and schools, and recommendations for local health departments and families.

To view the PowerPoint for this presentation, please click here.
To view this presentation with ASL interpreter, please click here.

Resources Shared:

If you have general questions about special education or have a specific question about special education services, please contact the Quality Assurance office located in your region. When contacting the regional office, please identify your county, school district, or special education program so that you may be directed to the appropriate Regional Associate.

  • Central Regional Office – (315) 428-4556
  • Eastern Regional Office – (518) 486-6366
  • Hudson Valley Regional Office – (518) 473-118

Hosted by: the Regional Support Centers

Transitioning to Adulthood: Steps to Transition Planning

Description: This webinar addresses the psychological and cultural framework of families starting the transition process for the CYSHCN population. The webinar expands on information to build the capacity for LHDs staff to start conversations about the transitional process on an informational and referral level. This information helps guide LHDs in engaging with the CYSHCN population and provide information to families. This webinar helps professionals understand who needs to be involved in the transition process and help start those initial steps and conversations to provide families with further information and referral services to the transition services.

Target Audience: Local health departments and other professionals

Supporting Families of CYSHCN during COVID-19

Featured organization: INCLUDEnyc
Target audience: Families of children and young adults ages 0-21 years old with special health care need(s)

Family-Professional Partnerships

Featured organizationParent to Parent of New York State (PTP NYS)
Target audience: Families of children and young adults ages 0-21 years old with special health care need(s)

Supporting Families with Mental Health Needs during COVID-19

Featured organization: National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of New York State (NYS)
Target audience: Families of children and young adults ages 0-21 years old with special health care need(s)

Supporting Youth through Health Care, Recreation, and Employment Transitions

Featured organization: Healthy Transitions NY and Project SEARCH
Target audience: Families of children and young adults ages 0-21 years old with special health care need(s)

Breaking Down the Walls: Support Healthy Sexuality for LGBTQ People with I/DD

LGBTQ people with intellectual and developmental disabilities have felt invisible when someone is supporting them around the topic of sexuality. They want and need access to support and sexuality information that acknowledges and appreciates their whole selves. This workshop was designed for Department of Health Professionals to better support LGBTQ people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their parents.

Target audience: Department of Health Professionals

Effective Communication for Diverse Individual and Family Styles

Learn 6 common communication challenges and simple strategies to improve communication with neuro-diverse people and allies.

Target audience: Professionals in the developmental disabilities community

Resources

  • Health Conditions Guide – This guide is intended to provide an overview of the different health conditions most commonly experienced by the CYSHCN population. This guide provides technical assistance and resources to serve families of CYSHCN. To learn about health conditions in Spanish, Mandarin and other languages please visit the following resource: https://www.medicalhomeportal.org/living-with-child/diagnoses-and-conditions—faqs
  • Transition Planning Timelines: These timelines provide knowledge of different resources and supports to help parents/caregivers plan for transitions throughout their child’s life experience from pre-school to adulthood. There are four timelines separated by school age:
  • The Child Profile (available in English and Spanish) is an essential tool designed to assist parents and caregivers in providing a concise yet comprehensive summary of their child’s medical requirements, capabilities, and unique needs to professionals who will be working with the child. Whether it be summer camps, community centers, rehab workers, or respite care providers, the Child Profile aims to streamline communication and ensure that every individual involved in the child’s care is well-informed and equipped to provide the best possible support.
  • CYSHCN information sheets: These sheets provide findings from conversations with CYSHCN families, acknowledging and validating their experiences. They also provide resources that help address some of the challenges found. These can be used by LHD staff and distributed to local CYSHCN families, providers, and other community collaborators. As more information sheets are approved, we will continue to add them here:

Meet Our Team

  • Patrick A. Patrick, DrPH – Project Director
  • Jenna L. Lequia, PhD – Assistant Project Director
  • Angel Morales, MPH – Project Manager
  • Katie Myhren, MS, MBA – Project Coordinator
  • Jessica Goh, MBA – Family Specialist
  • Keri Kanetsky, MBA – Family Specialist
  • Abby Beer, PT, DPT – Project Assistant
  • Christine Drexel – Project Assistant