CHILDREN'S SPECIAL HEALTH CARE SERVICES (CSHCS)

Children's Special Health Care Services (CSHCS) is a program within the Michigan Department of Community Health for children and some adults with special health care needs and their families.

Children's Special Health Care Services (CSHCS) helps persons with chronic health problems by providing:

• Coverage and referral for specialty services, based on the child's health problems.
• Family-centered services to support you in your primary role as caretaker of your child.
• Community-based services to help you care for your child at home and maintain normal routines.
• Culturally competent services which demonstrate awareness of cultural differences.
• Coordinated services to pull together the services of many different providers who work within different agencies.  

Qualifications for CSHCS

CSHCS covers more than 2,700 diagnoses. Click for a list of these diagnoses.

• Children must have a qualifying medical condition and be 25 years old or under. 
• Persons 26 and older with cystic fibrosis or certain blood coagulation disorders may also qualify for services.  

Some common medical conditions that may qualify for CSHCS are:

• cancer
• cleft palate/cleft lip
• club foot
• deformed limbs/amputations
• certain vision disorders
• blood clotting disorders
• hearing loss
• muscular dystrophy
• epilepsy/hydrocephalus
• kidney disease
• cerebral palsy
• liver disease
• hypospadius
• myelodysplasia/spina bifida
• paralysis/spinal injuries
• cystic fibrosis
• insulin-dependent diabetes
• certain heart conditions
• neurological disorders
• sickle cell anemia  

Your child's medical condition, not your income, determines if you qualify for this program. To inquire about CSHCS call 231-882-4409 or CSHCS Family Phone Line # 800-359-3722.

If your child is currently enrolled and you and your child:

• Need mileage/meals/lodging support for an out of town specialist/hospital visit
• Need to see a new specialist or add a new specialist to your child's list of providers
• Would like to apply for support from the Children with Special Needs Fund.
• Would like to speak with the CSHCS nurse by telephone, in the office, or by a home visit to develop your child's annual plan of care, coordinate services, and receive more information about the CSHCS process

Upcoming Webinars

The Power of Peer Support
October 8, 2026, 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Join Lindsey Harr-Smith from Grand Valley State University’s START program. Learn how peer to peer programs foster inclusive communities and promote positive outcomes and a sense of belonging for all. https://redcap.link/Peersupport

Understanding Michigan’s Anti-Bullying Law: What Families Need to Know
October 13, 2026, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Mary Teachout, School Safety Consultant with the Michigan Department of Education, will discuss Michigan’s anti-bullying law. Participants will leave with a better understanding of their rights, where to find help, and how to work with schools to address bullying concerns. https://redcap.link/MI.anti-bullyinglaws

OK2SAY: Michigan’s Student Safety Program
October 22, 2026, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Join Christine Coady from OK2SAY, Michigan’s confidential student safety program. Learn how the program helps students and families report concerns about bullying and other issues, and find resources for support. https://redcap.link/OK2SAY

October 2026

• 1st- PAC Best Practices: Data Basics 10-11am
• 1st- IEP: A Closer Look 6:30-8pm 6 Supporting Student Mental Health 7-8:30pm
• 7th- 4-Week Building Parent Leadership Skills in Early Childhood Wednesdays (pre-registration required) 12-1pm
• 8th- Data for Understanding 10-11am
• 9th- Sensory Processing Disorders (Part 1) 1-2:30pm
• 10th- IEP Transition Planning for Adult Life 10:30am-12:30pm
• 12th- Collaborative Communication in Special Education 12:00-1:00pm
• 12th- Adulting 101- Online Safety 4:30pm-5:30pm.
• 15th- College Planning with an IEP with Karen Wang 6:30pm-8:00pm.
• 16th- Sensory Processing Part 2 with Dr. Sally Burton-Hoyle 1:00pm-2:30pm. 
• 17th- Transition Pathways into Adult Life with Karen Wang 10:30am-12:00pm. 
• 19th- Epilepsy at School: Advocacy, Learning, and Mental Health with Epilepsy Foundation of Michigan 6:30pm-8:00pm.
• 20th- FAPE in the LRE with Stephanie Nicholls 6:30pm-8:00pm.
• 21st- Transition: Employment Expectations with Karen Wang 10:00am-11:30am.
• 22nd- Assistive Technology: What It Is and Why It Matters with Alt+Shift 12:00pm-1:00pm. 
• 24th- Transition: Beyond IDEA with Karen Wang 10:30am-12:00pm.
• 27th- Be a Data Detective with Andrea Beachnau 6:30pm-7:30pm.
• 29th- Section 504 @ School: What Parents Need to Know with Michelle Driscoll & Stephanie Nicholls 12:00pm-1:00pm.

Register at www.michiganallianceforfamilies.org/upcoming-events/ 

Here is more information about the family center for children and youth with special health care needs:

• Family Center One-pager

Call your local health department office to speak with:

For general information call 231-882-4409

To speak to a nurse call:

Leelanau County: 231-342-2574  Nicole, RN

Benzie County: (231) 871-8884   Rudy, RN