State Policy Considerations to Support Equitable Systems of Care for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs

Many CYSHCN require specialized pediatric care, yet they often face difficulties accessing it. These challenges can be further compounded for children with complex medical conditions; CYSHCN who are Black, Latinx, American Indian, or Alaska Native; families with low incomes; or families who live in rural areas.

Drawn from an environmental scan of all 50 U.S. states, this brief published by the National Academy for State Health Policy (NASHP) highlights strategies designed to address inequities in accessing pediatric specialty care and support equitable systems of care for CYSHCN. Examples of the types of strategies include supports for family caregivers; improved access to providers and specialists; and data collection sharing and usage practices.

Access the full brief at NASHP.org.

See also:
Map: States’ Use of the National Standards for CYSHCN