Services for Children with Special Health Care Needs
The Bureau for Family Centered Services administers a set of services for children, birth to 21 years, who have, or are at risk for, a chronic medical condition, disability or special health care need.
Services include:
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Care Coordination
Provides community based care coordinators to assist families in accessing needed healthcare and related services for children with chronic illness or disability, including help with finding medical, social, psychological, educational and financial assistance and resources. Financial assistance is available to eligible families. -
Complex Care Clinic
A specialty service for children with chronic and complex health conditions who would benefit from consultative service to address health concerns and educational needs. The one time assessment can be with an individual provider, a group consultation, or a clinic appointment. The team consists of a developmental pediatrician, physical therapist, educator and feeding and swallowing specialist as appropriate. -
Nutrition, Feeding and Swallowing Program
A statewide network of pediatric dieticians, and Feeding & Swallowing experts, who serve children and youth to age 21, with a variety of nutritional and feeding difficulties. Evaluation, consultation and follow-up services, safe eating plans, diet order forms for schools, and coordination & assessment of swallow studies. -
Child Development Clinic
A statewide network providing community-based, state-of-the-art diagnostic evaluation services for children, from birth through age 6, suspected of, or at risk for altered developmental progress.
Family Support Services
Partners in Health
Partners in Health is statewide community-based family support for children and young adults with chronic health conditions and their families, regardless of income.
Family Support Coordinators work directly with families and assist in finding resources to meet needs as families define and prioritize their concerns and issues. They assist families to access appropriate services and resources, provide recreational and respite opportunities. Problem solving around financial concerns or just finding the information you need is an important aspect of the day-to-day work of local coordinators. Partners in Health Family Support Coordinators know the resources in New Hampshire and beyond. To apply, call 603-271-4488 or download the application: BFCS Application for Services Solicitud de Servicios. If you are a Partners in Health Family Support Coordinator, please see the page for BFCS Providers
Area Agency Family Support
Support services for family caregivers of individuals with developmental disabilities or acquired brain disorder is provided through NH’s ten designated Area Agencies. These agencies are committed to supporting & assisting families so they may remain primary caregivers.
Services include:
- Recreational opportunities,
- Parent to parent support,
- Respite services,
- Assistance in accessing home modifications or adaptive equipment,
- Information and referral,
- Advocacy,
- Assistance with planning for transition from early supports and services to school to adult services; and
- Help with applying for state and federal benefits.
For more information, see Developmental Services
Information and Referral
Free to families and professionals who are looking for information on a variety of chronic illnesses or disabilities affecting children, as well as national, state and community resources. Referral to medical specialists experienced with children who have special health care needs (CSHCN) is available for children who already have a diagnosis and for children who may not yet have a diagnosis or are considered "at risk" of developing a chronic disease or a disabling condition. Call (603) 271-4488 or email the Bureau for Family Centered Services bfcs@dhhs.nh.gov
New Hampshire Family Voices
Family Voices is a national network of families and friends of children and youth with special health care needs/disabilities. NH Family Voices, NH’s state affiliate, provides free, confidential services to families and professionals caring for children with chronic conditions and/or disabilities. They assist with navigating systems of care, resources and supports to help families feel confident when making choices for their children. NH Family Voices also coordinates a youth advisory committee for health care transition. Visit www.nhfv.org or call (603) 271-4525.