Children and youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN) have
or are at risk for chronic physical, developmental, behavioral,
or emotional conditions and require health and related services
of a type or amount beyond that required by children in general.
Data shows that roughly 15% of all Oklahoma children have a
special health care need, 21% have an unmet health care need and
11% rely on the ER for primary care. Nationally, these children
account for 80% of pediatric health care expenditures. A stalled
economy, changes in insurance and health delivery systems, and
funding reductions in many governmental programs contribute to
fragmented care for this growing vulnerable population. Linking
all children with special health care needs to a comprehensive
medical home has become a priority of the Healthy People 2010
objectives and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). What is
a Medical Home? A medical home is not a building, house, or
hospital, but rather an approach to providing health care
services in a h