Children and Youth with Special HealthCare Needs (CYSHCN)

FFL has secured a grant through the Department of State Health Services to connect families with children and youth with special health care needs to the resources they need that are provided through state and local programs and the resources, events, and support networks available in their own communities.  FFL will work with families in the following counties:

• Bosque, Hill, Limestone, Freestone, Falls, McLennan,
• Bell, Milam, Lampasas, Coryell, Hamilton

FFL will coordinate with existing agencies in these counties to provide resources and support for immediate family needs, to develop strategies to meet future needs, and to support educational, employment, and healthcare-related youth to adult transition.

FFL intends to teach families effective person-centered planning, understanding that it is the family and the children in the family who know best what their needs are and how best to meet those needs.  FFL will work with Better Lives, LLC to certify person-centered planning trainers who will then recruit and train parents, youth with special healthcare needs, and siblings how to approach building a child’s or a family plan that they own rather than accepting a plan developed by someone who thinks they know best.

FFL will also provide individual family stipends to help pay for the costs associated in some way with the child’s healthcare needs.  Some examples are co-pays for behavior support services, medical supplies not otherwise paid for by Medicaid or private insurance, assistance with gym or club memberships, payment for summer camp services, and reimbursement for respite services provided to a family.