The Office for Children with Special Health Care Needs partners with the Office for Women’s & Children’s Health to provide in-home support for children who are medically fragile, have a chronic medical condition or at risk for developmental delay. 

The Department contracts with specially trained community health nurses to provide support to the family during a transition from hospital to home, conduct physical and developmental assessments, provides anticipatory guidance, and makes referrals to other community resources as needed. Community Health Nursing helps to increase the families ability to become self-determined.

Guiding Principles:
Nursing Care for children with special health care needs is grounded in the following seven guiding principles:

1. Family centered 
2. Developmentally appropriate
3. Culturally sensitive
4. Collaborative
5. Comprehensive
6. Community Based
7. Coordinated 

Community Nursing Services facilitates the transition of the child and family from the Newborn Intensive Care Unit to their home and community. Periodic monitoring of the child’s medical and developmental needs identifies infants who would benefit from referral to other early intervention programs. Through these home visits, the family receives support and education as well as referral to appropriate community resources.

Additional information may be obtained by contacting the Office for Children with Special Health Care Needs at (602) 542-1860.