Office for Genetics and Children with Special Health Care Needs

The Office for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs serves over 240,000 children in the State of Maryland.  Children and youth with special health care needs are defined by the national Maternal Child Health Bureau as "those who have or are at increased risk for a chronic physical, developmental, behavioral, or emotional condition and who also require health and related services of a type or amount beyond that required by children generally."

We strive to provide these children and their families with access to services and medical care that meet the following goals:

1. Families and youth are partners in decisions made regarding their care and services.
2. Comprehensive and coordinated medical care is provided in a medical home.
3. Children are screened early and continuously for conditions that require intervention or treatment.
4. Families and youth receive needed education and support for transition to adult health care, higher education and work.
5. Community based services are organized in a way that they can be used easily.
6. Families have access to affordable health care through insurance or assistance programs.

For information on our programs, services, and resources for families, click on the links below:

• Infant Follow-up Services

Infant Hearing Program
Birth Defects Program
Sickle Cell Disease Program
Metabolic Disorders

• Children's Medical Services

• Health Care Transition

• Medical Home

• Specialty Care Resources
• Title V MCH Block Grant Partnerships
• Health Care Notebook

• Advisory Councils and Committees

Advisory Council on Congenital Disorders
Infant Hearing Advisory Council
Birth Defects Reporting and Information Advisory Committee
Maryland Consortium for Children with Special Health Care Needs
Statewide Services for Adults with Sickle Cell Disease