The Children with Special Health Care Needs (CSHCN) Screener is a set of five consequences-based questions used to identify children with chronic or special health care needs. The questions are designed to be self-administered or telephone administered as part of a parent/caretaker survey.

Click here for a description of using the CSHCN Screener.

Issues to Consider

There is no gold standard for identifying children with special health care needs and there are many issues to consider when trying to do so. 

Click here to view a PowerPoint slideshow about issues in defining and identifying CSHCN.

The CAHMI created a resource manual for State Medicaid Agencies and Managed Care Organizations on behalf of the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS).  This resource manual was developed with substantial input and guidance from the Special Health Care Needs Advisory Committee convened for this purpose. 

Click here to download the full manual.

*If you plan to use the PHDS, please complete this one-page User's Form.  The CAHMI tools are non-proprietary and available at no-charge.  We ask that potential users complete this form so we can provide updates to users about modifications, improvements or additional resources developed.