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Special Health Care Needs - Missouri Members

What are Special Health Care Needs?

Many diagnoses are placed under this title. Special needs can be defined as “what a child can’t do,” activities avoided, foods banned, or experiences denied. This child may be reaching the milestone at a later date than other children their age.

Children with special health care needs may have but not limited to:

• Serious or chronic medical issues – cancer, heart defects, asthma, diabetes
• Congenital disorders – Cerebral Palsy, Cleft Lip and Palate, Cystic Fibrosis
• Behavior issues – ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disease), ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder), Bi-Polar Disorde
• Learning issues – Dyslexia or other learning disabilities
• Developmental issues – Autism, Downs Syndrome, Mental Retardation
• Receives SSI, out of home placement, homeless or Foster Care

Programs Offered: The Bureau of Special Health Care Needs (BSHCN) Program provides assistance to members from birth to age 21 who meet financial and medical eligibility guidelines. This program focuses on early identification of members with special needs; funding for preventive, diagnostic and treatment services; and provision of service coordination activities for families. Service coordination is provided through 13 contracts and by SHCN staff located in regional offices throughout the state. The goal of this program is to give physical and emotional support to families to allow independence and quality of life.

Eligibility: The participant must:

• Be a Missouri resident
• Birth to age 21 (benefits are available to all MO HealthNet eligible children up to age 21)
• Have an eligible special health care need
• Meet financial guidelines based on family income and size

How to Apply
Downloadable PDF Forms Contact any of the regional offices for an enrollment form or download a form by selecting one of the links below.

English - Spanish - Bosnian - Russian - Vietnamese


Contacts and Resources
Special Health Care Needs
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
PO Box 570
Jefferson City, MO 65102-0570
573-751-6246 or Toll-free 1-800-451-0669
Fax: 573-751-6237
For Regional Offices Click Here

Email: info@dhss.mo.gov

For current information and publications visit: www.dhss.mo.gov/SHCN

Preventive Services Checklist
Provider Fact Sheet
Insurance Fact Sheet
Family Partnership


First Steps Program

First Steps is Missouri’s program for infants and toddlers with special needs. Children's Mercy Family Health Partners can help you get services from First Steps.

Service provided for children birth to age 3 who have diagnosed physical, mental conditions or disabilities such as:

• Down Syndrome
• Autism
• Cerebral Palsy
• Spina Bifida

Or who have delayed development in:

• Learning
• Speech
• Hearing
• Walking
• Emotional or social development

Who Can Make a Referral?

• Primary Care Physician, hospital staff, caseworker
• Managed Care Health Plan Case Manager
• Special Health Care Needs offices or the Regional Center for Mental Retardation
• Parents as Teachers
• Head Start Programs
• Self Referral – you make contact First Steps regarding your child’s development

How to Find If Your Child is Eligible?

• A Service Coordinator will be assigned and schedule an assessment and evaluation.
• If eligible, the Service Coordinator will schedule a meeting for your family and a team of professionals.
• Services will be determined and listed for the child.

System Point of Entry (SPOE) Regions Map (with contact information)

Families can contact their county First Steps Office for more information by calling toll free: 1-866-583-2392

Foster Care

There are over 10,000 children in the foster care system in Missouri and approximately 1,200 in Jackson County.

Most children are placed temporarily in foster care due to parental abuse or neglect. There is a need for more caring individuals that can provide a safe and nurturing environment for a child that can no longer remain with their biological parents.

To find out how to become a foster parent in Missouri, please call 1-800-554-2222 or visit
http://www.dss.mo.gov/cd/fostercare/index.htm

To learn about foster parenting, please call the National Foster Parent Association at 1-800-557-5238 or visit www.nfpainc.org

Local website specific to children in Jackson County, MO - www.kcchildren.org

Foster/Adopt Information Line – 816-889-2595 or www.AdoptUSKids.org


The G.A.A.P (Grandparents Acting As Parents)

There are many family situations that have caused grandparents to step forward to keep families together. If you are a grandparent or relative caregiver who has taken on the responsibility of raising a child, there is a support group especially for you.

For more information. contact:
Children’s Mercy Hospitals and Clinics
Family Friends Program
2401 Gillham Road
Kansas City, MO 64108
Phone: 816-234-3676
Fax: 816-346-1332

MO text approval 02/17/09