CHENANGO COUNTY – The Chenango County Public Health Department offers many unique, and often essential services to the community that many area residents area not aware of. In light of that, staff at the agency are looking to spread the word about what it has to offer one program at a time beginning with the Children with Special Health Care Needs (CSHCN) Program.

Chenango County Public Health's CSHCN is a free program that provides information and referral services for health and related areas to families of children with special health care needs.

According to Chenango Children with Special Need Coordinator Carrie Sullivan, “Any child with a special health care need residing in Chenango County is eligible for information and referral services through the Children with Special Health Care Needs Program.”

Sullivan indicated that children with special health care needs are typically classified as children from birth to 21 years who have or are suspected of having a serious or chronic physical, developmental, behavioral or emotional condition requiring health and related services beyond what most children would need. In particular, conditions such as asthma, diabetes, depression, hearing or vision impairment, sickle cell anemia, heart conditions, autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, conduct disorder, cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy are all classifying disabilities.