Children with Special Health Care Needs (CSHCN) - Public Health Region 1

Purpose

We have a goal to provide the highest quality of social work services to maximize the physical, psychological, and emotional health of the children of Region 1 who have special health care needs.  

In working toward that goal, direct and indirect services will be provided in a family-centered, culturally sensitive, community-based manner to this population and other targeted populations identified by the Texas Department of State Health Services. 

Our Programs

  • Case Management to Children with Special Health Care Needs 
  • Children with Special Health Needs Services Program 
  • Case Management for Children and Pregnant Women 
  • Assessments for Community First Choice and Personal Care Services 
  • Texas Health Steps 

We have offices in Amarillo and Lubbock covering 44 counties. 
 


Children with Special Health Care Needs (CSHCN-SP) Program 

The Children with Special Health Care Needs Services Program (CSHCN-SP) helps families with healthcare benefits and case management services. We are proud to have helped children with special healthcare needs and their families since 1933.   

Eligibility requirements 

  • Child must live in Texas  
  • Child must be ages 0-21 years (no age limit for cystic fibrosis)  
  • Meet financial criteria (200% of poverty level)  
  • Child must have a physical health condition that is expected to last more than 1 year  

Benefits and services 

  • Medical, dental, and mental health care  
  • Case Management  
  • Family support services  
  • Medical transportation  
  • Medicines  
  • Equipment and medical supplies  
  • Help with medical insurance premiums  

For CSHCN-SP Program-related questions, please contact Laura Mojica in the Lubbock area or Caroline Todd in the Amarillo area. 

Visit the Children with Special Health Care Needs Program website or call 1-800-252-8023 to learn more. 

We encourage medical, dental, and other providers to become CSHCN-SP providers. Learn more about the program from Texas Medicaid & Health Care Partnership.   
 


Case Management for Children and Pregnant Women (CPW) Program 

The Case Management for Children and Pregnant Women (CPW) Program provides services to children with a health condition or health risk up to age 20. The program also supports high-risk pregnant women of all ages to encourage the use of cost-effective health and health-related care. Together, the case manager and family decide on the medical, social, educational, and other medically necessary service needs.  

Children and Pregnant Women Providers  

A current list of participating CPW providers is available on Case Management Providers for Children & Pregnant Women.   

We encourage social workers and registered nurses to become CPW providers. Learn more about training in the Texas Health Steps program listed on this site. 
 


Community First Choice (CFC) Benefit 

Community First Choice (CFC) is a Medicaid benefit that provides help so a person can do everyday tasks.  It also helps with habilitation—teaching a person how to do everyday tasks without help. 

These could include: 

  • Bathing 
  • Eating 
  • Toileting 
  • Dressing 
  • Walking 
  • Light housework 
  • Fixing meals 
  • Shopping 
  • Learning to find services in the community 
  • Learning to use adaptive equipment 

Who can receive Community First Choice services? 

  • Anyone age 20 or younger who has: 
  • Medicaid coverage; and 
    • An institutional level of care determination; and 
    • An ongoing disability, physical, or mental illness that has been confirmed by a doctor. If you need help with these kinds of tasks because of an ongoing physical, mental, or behavioral limitation, you may be able to get CFC. 

For more information please visit the link below: 

Community First Choice | Texas Health and Human Services 
 


Personal Care Services (PCS) Benefit 

Personal Care Services is a Medicaid benefit that provides assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) to help clients with physical, cognitive, or behavioral functional limitations related to a disability, physical or mental illness, or chronic condition. 

Examples of Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) 

  • Bathing 
  • Dressing 
  • Feeding 
  • Grooming 
  • Mobility 
  • Toileting/Toileting hygiene 
  • Transfers/Non-ambulatory movements 

Examples of Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs) 

  • Housekeeping 
  • Laundry 
  • Meal preparation 
  • Money Management 

Who Can Receive the Personal Care Services Benefit? 

The PCS benefit is available to Texas Medicaid clients who 

  • Are 0-20 years of age  
  • Are enrolled with Texas Medicaid as THSteps clients  
  • Have physical cognitive or behavioral limitations related to a disability or chronic health condition that inhibits the client's ability to accomplish ADLs or IADLs. 

For more information please visit the link below: 

Personal Care Services | Texas Health and Human Services 
 


Texas Health Steps (THSteps) Program 

The Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment (EPSDT) program, known in Texas as Texas Health Steps (THSteps) is the largest and most comprehensive medical and dental prevention and treatment program for children of low-income families. The program provides a comprehensive and periodic evaluation of a child's health, development, and nutritional status, as well as vision, dental, and hearing care. Texas Health Steps is the gateway for comprehensive health care for Medicaid-enrolled children from birth to age 21 in Texas.   

The mission of the Texas Health Steps Program is to expand client awareness of existing health services, to recruit and retain a qualified provider pool, and to assure comprehensive services are available through public and private providers so that recipients can obtain medical and dental care before health problems become chronic and irreversible. 

A current list of participating Texas Health Steps medical and dental providers is available from the Texas Health and Humans Services Commission.   

Call Texas Health Steps toll-free at 1-877-THSTEPS (1-877-847-8377) for help with:  

  • Scheduling appointments   
  • Case management referrals   
  • Other needs as requested   

Services 

  • Medical screening  
  • Dental checkups  
  • Immunizations  
  • Vision exams and services  
  • Hearing exams and aids  
  •  Comprehensive care services  
  •  Case management  
  •  Laboratory Services  

Free Online Education for Providers – CEUs and Certificates of Completion Available  

Texas Health Steps Online Provider Education offers a range of high-quality training opportunities to THSteps providers and other interested individuals.  This free training improves your ability to deliver comprehensive preventive health, mental health, dental, and case management services to Medicaid-eligible children from birth through 20 years of age.   

THSteps Online Provider Education offers self-paced, web-based training modules.  Modules have sections with an evaluation component following each section.  These evaluations enable trainees to assess their knowledge as they complete each module.  An online certificate of completion is available after a trainee completes an entire module.  Eligible participants can earn Continuing Education (CE) credits after the successful completion of each module.  Visit Texas Health Steps to access training.   

Contact Information 

Department of State Health Services, PHR 1  
CSHCN Program 

6302 Iola Ave 
Lubbock, TX 79424 
Phone: 806-783-6452 
Fax: 806-783-6455 

Department of State Health Services, PHR 1 
CSHCN Program 

3407 Pony Express Way 
Amarillo, TX 79118 
Phone: 806-655-7151 
Fax: 806-373-4757 

If you have comments or suggestions, please contact us