Does your child have a chronic illness, disabling condition, or developmental delay? If so, we can see if your child qualifies to get the special healthcare services he or she needs. We may be able to help you pay for certain services. Your child must be under 18 years of age to apply.
Who are Children with Special Health Care Needs?
DPH serves "children and youth who have or are at risk for chronic physical, developmental, behavioral or emotional conditions and who also require health and related services of a type or amount beyond that required by children generally." This widely accepted definition was developed by the national Maternal and Children Health Bureau and the American Academy of Pediatrics in collaboration with many health service providers and parents. A 2019-2020 national survey of families with children with special health care needs found that over 200,000 children in South Carolina (16%) under age 18 meet this definition.
DPH services are available to children and youth up to age 21 with one or more of a wide range of medical conditions or disabilities that have lasted or are expected to last for 12 months or more. Services include: information and referral, care coordination and financial assistance with payment for medical services, supplies, and equipment.
Some of these children need only an accurate diagnosis and routine treatment and monitoring; others need life-sustaining technology, treatment, and medicines throughout their lives. Many depend on multiple health care providers and a combination of private and public health care financing and health care systems. Almost all children with special health care needs, no matter the severity of their condition, live at home with their parents, brothers, and sisters. About 1 in 5 U.S. households has a child with a special health care need.
Programs and Services We Offer
Camp Burnt Gin
- Camp Burnt Gin is a summer camp in Wedgefield, South Carolina, for children who have physical disabilities and chronic illnesses.
Care Coordination Services
- DPH's Care Coordination Services team works to keep up with appointments, initiate referrals, address needs, priorities, or concerns, and plan for transitioning to adult health care systems.
Children's Rehabilitative Services
- DPH's Children's Rehabilitative Services (CRS) provide financial assistance to families of children under age 18 with one or more of a wide array of chronic illnesses and disabling conditions.
Hearing Program
- DPH's Hearing Program pays for hearing aids and supplies for eligible children and youth with hearing impairment diagnosed by a licensed audiologist.
Hemophilia Program
- The purpose of this state-funded program is to purchase blood products for persons with hemophilia or other congenital blood clotting disorders.
Sickle Cell Program
- DPH's Sickle Cell Program helps people who have sickle cell disease pay for medical services, supplies, equipment, and medications.
Special Formula Program
- DPH's Special Formula Program provides nutritional preparations recommended by licensed dietitians to children and youth with selected medical conditions.
Orthodontic Program
- DPH's Orthodontic Program and related services are available to some children with functional impairments of the face, jaw, mouth, or teeth resulting from craniofacial anomalies.
