Children & Youth with Special Health Care Needs

The Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN) program helps families of CYSHCN feel included, supported, and able to grow in communities with easy access to health, development, and well-being services. Public Health Nurses work with healthcare providers and other groups involved in the child’s care plan in order to help improve services and support for their family. Public Health Nurses may also be available to provide direct services for families who qualify.

Click one of the links below to learn more:

Resource List

For Families

For Providers







Resource List



Resource List

For local support, please explore our Resource List which is an extensive, carefully curated collection of services available within our County. It includes resources to assist with medical, developmental, educational, and social needs.




For Families


For Families

While our Public Health Nurses (PHN) previously provided home visits and direct services to all families, our approach is changing. We are now focusing our efforts on families identified as high risk through a triage process, and even then, PHN involvement may be limited. Instead, we are partnering closely with healthcare providers to support families during medical appointments. To help you navigate services, we’ve created an extensive list of carefully curated resources specific to our county, including support for medical, developmental, educational, and social needs. We hope this resource helps connect you to the services and supports that best meet your child and family's needs.

To apply for services, please fill out the Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN) form and fax or mail to the address listed on the form.

Disclaimer: Submitting an application for CYSHCN services does not guarantee Public Health Nurse involvement. Each case will be reviewed, and follow-up will be provided based on assessed needs and available services.




For Providers


For Providers

Our role in supporting Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN) is evolving. Rather than providing direct services to all families, we are now focused on partnering with healthcare providers to create sustainable, system-level support. You play a vital role in identifying and assisting these families during their visits, and we’re here to support you. Our team offers consultation on condition-specific concerns, guidance around family coping and trauma, and assistance navigating complex and ever-changing local resources. To support your work, we’ve developed a comprehensive, regularly updated resource directory tailored to the needs of CYSHCN families in Snohomish County.

Email us at SHD-CYSHCN@co.snohomish.wa.us or call us at 425-258-8401 if you would like support and/or consultations for any child with special health care needs that you are currently serving.

For additional resources, please access our Resource List which is an extensive list of carefully curated resources specific to our County, including support for medical, developmental, educational, and social needs. We encourage you to share this information with the families you serve.

Newsletter for providers: Child Health Notes

A newsletter is mailed to Snohomish County medical providers 2 to 4 times each year in partnership with the Snohomish County Infant Toddler Early Intervention Program. Child Health Notes provide information for early identification and management of special health and developmental concerns. Formatted as a concise double-sided newsletter, each Child Health Note covers a specific topic and includes contact information for local, state, and national resources. To read current and past issues, click on a link below.