CISWH Project Resources

This issue brief, written in partnership with the National Academy for State Health Policy (NASHP), describes how states define CYSHCN within Medicaid and Title V CYSHCN programs and explores the implications of these definitions. Federal and state program approaches to defining children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN) can impact how they determine eligibility for health care services and supports (e.g., care coordination), evaluate the impact of services, and measure outcomes.  The brief presents an analysis of data gathered through administrative and interview data from seven states (AZ, FL, NY, OH, OR, UT, and VA), and presents state considerations for establishing and implementing definitions of CYSHCN.

The public health emergency resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic has real implications for state Title V programs as well as families raising children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN).

These fact sheets address a variety of relevant topics, such as Medicaid and CHIP programs and the CARES Act. 

Part of the Catalyst Center COVID-19 Resource Series. 

The public health emergency resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic has real implications for state Title V programs as well as families raising children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN).

State programs like Medicaid/CHIP and Title V, which are integral to the system of services and supports for children and youth with special health care needs, must be ready to adapt and respond to the current challenges faced by children, families, providers, and other stakeholders.

These fact sheets help explain employment provisions for families in the CARES Act. Families raising CYSHCN are more at risk than ever for experiencing financial hardship due to job loss, loss of health insurance, and other factors. Understanding these policy changes can aid in reducing the risk of family financial hardship.

Download the full series, or individual fact sheets below. 

Part of the Catalyst Center COVID-19 Resource Series. 

The public health emergency resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic has real implications for state Title V programs as well as families raising children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN).

State programs like Medicaid/CHIP and Title V, which are integral to the system of services and supports for children and youth with special health care needs, must be ready to adapt and respond to the current challenges faced by children, families, providers, and other stakeholders.

These fact sheets help explain health coverage provisions for CYSHCN and families in the CARES Act. Understanding these policy changes can support activities related to care coordination, benefits and coverage counseling, and aid in reducing the risk of family financial hardship. This information can also inform the changing landscape of health coverage for CYSHCN.

Download the full series, or individual fact sheets below. 

Part of the Catalyst Center COVID-19 Resource Series. 

The public health emergency resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic has real implications for state Title V programs as well as families raising children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN).

State programs like Medicaid/CHIP and Title V, which are integral to the system of services and supports for children and youth with special health care needs, must be ready to adapt and respond to the current challenges faced by children, families, providers, and other stakeholders.

These fact sheets help explain Medicaid and CHIP program flexibilities to Title V program staff and allies. Understanding these policy changes can support activities related to care coordination, benefits and coverage counseling, and aid in reducing the risk of family financial hardship.

Download the full series, or individual fact sheets below. 

Learn how the Kansas City, Missouri Health Department confronted transportation barriers by providing bikes to clients with HIV. The staff’s simple strategy may be a best practice for future interventions. 

This toolkit contains an overview of public health social work (PHSW) history, definitions, and examples of contemporary practice. It includes a model PHSW syllabus and a resource guide that links educators and practitioners to additional curriculum-building materials. It also contains a collection of slide decks by practitioners and scholars on PHSW-related issues for use in social work or public health courses, or in continuing education settings. 

If using slide deck content in your own presentation, please use the following citation: Author, (2019). Title of Presentation (PowerPoint slides). Retrieved from ciswh.org

This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant number G05HP31425, Leadership in Public Health Social Work Education Grant Program, in the amount of $300,000 awarded to Trustees of Boston University. No percentage of this project was financed with nongovernmental sources. This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.

Six recommendations for the field of public health social work (PHSW) focused on leadership development, framing PHSW, communications and marketing, professional organizations, and education and research.

This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant number G05HP31425, Leadership in Public Health Social Work Education Grant Program, in the amount of $300,000 awarded to Trustees of Boston University. No percentage of this project was financed with nongovernmental sources. This information or content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.

On May 10th at the 2019 Family Voices Leadership conference, the Catalyst Center presented on a Partnership Opportunities Panel. The slides detail our work as the National Center on Health Insurance Coverage and Financing of Care for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs, how we partner with families and youth leaders, and upcoming opportunities for collaboration.

On March 10th at the 2019 Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs (AMCHP) conference, the Catalyst Center presented an infographic series on the fundamentals of financing the system of care for CYSHCN.

The presentation reviews the rationale for the infographic series, key content in each infographic, and explores how infographics can be used to communicate effectively with various stakeholders.