Press release from Henderson County Department of Public Health:
The Henderson County Department of Public Health is seeking parents and guardians of children with special needs to serve on an advisory council that will improve overall services and resources for families and providers.
The Health Department has partnered with the North Carolina Division of Public Heath’s Children and Youth Branch on an initiative called Innovative Approaches (IA). Now entering year two of a three-year grant, IA is family-driven and aims to teach parents how to navigate the system and locate and advocate for the services their child needs.
IA is looking for parents or guardians of children with special needs to join its Parent Advisory Council.The first Parent Advisory Council is scheduled for this Thursday, July 9 from 4 to 5 p.m. This will be an online event.
The program defines children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN) as children who have a condition expected to last longer than 12 months and who require more care than is usual for most children of the same age. These children may require more medical, mental health or educational services. Innovative Approaches specifically focuses on children ages birth to 21.
One of the goals of the Parent Advisory Council is to learn what the needs are in Henderson County for families and providers who serve CYSHCN. The Parent Advisory Council should be made up of a diverse group of parents/guardians, and is committed to advocacy and educating other parents, agencies and health care professionals on issues that affect CYSHCN. Ultimately, parents will be the ones who decide which topics to be discussed.
For more information or to sign up, please contact Parent Outreach Coordinator Ruth Ramirez atrramirez@hendersoncountync.gov or 828-694-6070. You can also learn more at www.HendersonCountyKids.com.
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