Ky.gov
Effective: 9/9/2026

C1.12 Supporting Physical Health and Medical Needs

Legal Authority

Introduction

​​​​​​​​​​Access to health care is necessary to support children's well-being and reduce the risk of maltreatment. Children with disabilities or extraordinary medical needs are at greater risk of coming to the attention of the Department for Community Based Services (DCBS), especially when resources are lacking in the community. It is important that staff are knowledgeable of resources to meet the health and medical needs of children and can refer families to these resources when needed.​​

Practice Guidance

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  • The Kentucky Children's Health Insurance Program (KCHIP) provides health insurance for families who do not have health insurance, meet income guidelines, and have a child under the age of nineteen (19). Children with countable income too high to qualify for Medicaid may be eligible for KCHIP. Pregnant women and women within one (1) year postpartum may also qualify for health insurance through KCHIP.  Additional information about KCHIP is available through KYNECT Benefits - KCHIP.
  • In addition to funding KCHIP, Medicaid also funds school-based health services for Medicaid-eligible children to remove barriers related to transportation or parents’ inability to take time off work. Services may include preventative health exams, behavioral and mental health therapy, and speech, occupational, and physical therapies.  
  • The Office for Children with Special Health Care Needs (OCSHCN) provides comprehensive care to children and youth with special health care needs who are Kentucky residents under age twenty-one (21) and meet both medical and financial eligibility. OCSHCN has clinical programs specializing in autism spectrum disorder, cardiology, cerebral palsy, cleft lip and palate and craniofacial anomalies, eye specialties, neurology, orthopedics, otology, and scoliosis.  
  • Local health departments are also a resource available in every county to meet the needs of children and families who may be struggling to access health care.  
  • The Medical Support Section within the Division of Protection and Permanency (DPP) is available to assist staff in identifying resources for families unable to access needed physical or behavioral health care for their children.  

Procedure

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Division of Prevention and Community Wellbeing (DPCW) Staff: 
  1. Assess needs and identify gaps in services related to health care needs that may contribute to child and family involvement with the child welfare agency;
  2. Collaborate with community partners and those with lived experience to implement and maintain prevention programming related to meeting the health care needs of children;
The SSW:
  1. Obtains information about the child’s health care coverage as part of assessment and ongoing work with families;
  2. Refers families to KYNECT benefits if they report not having health insurance for the child; 
  3. Refers families to school-based health services if Medicaid eligible and transportation or parental availability for appointments is a barrier to receiving services;
  4. Utilizes the resources and services of local health departments or the OCHSCN as needed to ensure that children’s health care needs are met;
  5. Contacts the Medical Support Section at (502)564-6852 during normal business hours to request a consultation.




Documents

Revisions