10.3.4.5: Resources for Parents/Guardians of Children with Special Health Care Needs

The state agency or council of agencies responsible for child care services for children with special health care needs should aid parents/guardians in their assessment of facilities for care of children with special health care needs. Agencies should provide printed and audiovisual information about assessment of specialized health care to the parents/guardians.

In addition, the regulatory agency should refer parents/guardians of children with special health care needs to a medical home for assistance in development and formulation of a written care plan to be used within a child care program.

RATIONALE

 Parents/guardians of children with special health care needs require support to enable their identification and evaluation of facilities where their children can receive quality child care.

Parents/guardians should participate in the facility evaluation, both formally and informally. Unless the Interagency Coordinating Council (ICC) or some similar body provides information to parents/guardians, they are unlikely to be able to find and evaluate options for child care for children with special health care needs. While the professionals involved with the family may do this on behalf of the family, the parents/guardians should have every opportunity to play a significant role in the process.

The state licensing agency as well as the state agencies responsible for implementation of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) should assist child care caregivers/teachers to recognize the opportunity they have to participate in the child’s overall care planning and to obtain training on effective inclusion in order to provide care to the children (1).

REFERENCES

1. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, Maternal and Child Health Bureau. State Title V contacts. https://perfdata.hrsa.gov/mchb/mchreports/link/state_links.asp.