CYSHCN Transition
Today, CYSHCN are living longer, healthier lives due to medical advances. Most CYSHCN survive into adulthood. Planning for the transition to adulthood is essential, especially for the move from pediatrics to adult-based care.
What is Health Care Transition?
Health care transition is the deliberate process of getting ready for health care as an adult. The American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Family Physicians, and American College of Physicians recommend beginning transition planning by age 12. Youth and families can work together with health care providers to learn about and plan for this important change.
Got Transition, the national technical assistance center for health care transition created an animated video “What is Health Care-Transition?” Watch it in English or Spanish.
In Texas, according to the 2021-22 NSCH, 23.2% of CYSHCN received services necessary to transition to adult health care (compared to 22.1% nationally).
This data shows that CYSHCN and their families need help to improve planning and better prepare CYSHCN for adult-based care. Our community-based partners and regional case management staff help families plan for the transition to adulthood. Find out what is available in your area HERE.
Transition to Adulthood Resources
The Maternal and Child Health program leads the Transition to Adulthood Learning Collaborative which meets quarterly via webinar. A guest speaker presents on a transition topic. We also share information on upcoming events and new transition resources. All are welcome to join us, including:
- Youth and young adults
- Parents and caregivers
- Case managers
- Health care plan representatives
- School transition specialists and teachers
- Hospital and university systems
- Local community organizations
Please email CSHCNSDG@dshs.texas.gov to join or learn more about this learning collaborative.
- 05/03/2023 - Tying It All Together: The Many Aspects of Future Planning
- 02/07/2023 - Texas TAGS: Taking Ideas, Inspiration and Vision to the Next Level
- 11/02/2022 – Tech Talk: Using Technology to Transform Transition Planning
- 08/10/2022 - Integrating Health Care Transition Support in Special Education
- 05/04/2022 - Guardianship Reform: Choices, Self-Determination and Alternatives
- 02/09/2022 - Social and Recreational Activities for Adults with Intellectual Disabilities
Transition Resources
We publish brochures on the importance of planning for the transition to adulthood, including from pediatric to adult-based care. Order our brochures directly through the HHSC Warehouse or call them at 512-250-7162 for assistance with your order. You can also download electronic versions below.
Family Resources
Free Continuing Education (CE) Courses
The Texas Health Steps online program offers free CE courses for primary care providers and other health professionals. These courses offer updated clinical, regulatory, and best practice guidelines for:
- Preventative health
- Oral health
- Mental health
- Case management topics
More Transition Resources
- Got Transition has many resources for youth, families, providers, and educators including:
- Family Toolkit: Pediatric-to-Adult Health Care Transition in English and Spanish
- Checklist for youth to measure health care transition readiness in English and Spanish
- Questions to Ask Your Child’s Doctor about Transitioning to Adult Health Care in English and Spanish
- Health Care Transition Readiness Assessment for Students in English and Spanish with corresponding Sample Goals for the Individual Education Plan to support planning in school
- Health and Wellness Planning for High School Students: Mental Health Transition Resources
- PACER Center – Health and Transition Learning Center.
- Texas Education Agency’s Transition and Employment Guide - See page 33 for information on health.
- Texas Parent to Parent Pathways to Adulthood workshops help families envision a good life for their children with disabilities. Their Transition Center provides 1:1 support, information, and tools to youth and families for carrying out this vision.
- The Navigate Life Texas website offers resources for families on many topics including:
- Health care transition
- Education
- Careers
- Housing
- Legal options for age 18 and beyond
- Independent living
- The TexasYouth2Adult transition planning tool is available online to help families of CYSHCN and disabilities successfully move from childhood to adulthood. Families can make a personal account, find medical, social, financial, and employment resources, and much more. BridgingApps, an Easter Seals Greater Houston program, developed this tool with Maternal and Child Health program funding.
- The Texas Transition Toolkit (T3) is an online tool for health care providers. It helps guide patients with special health care needs from pediatric health care to adult health care. The website includes a searchable database of:
- Peer-reviewed articles on health care transition for CYSHCN;
- Tools used by different clinics and programs to facilitate health care transition for CYSHCN; and
- Tools for developing your own health care transition program for CYSHCN.
This tool was developed by Texas A&M University School of Public Health with funding from the Maternal and Child Health program.
The Texas Department of State Health Services does not endorse external links to other websites or documents created by other agencies. These links and documents are informational and may not be accessible to persons with disabilities.