HJAR Mar/Apr 2024

48 MAR / APR 2024 I  HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF ARKANSAS MEDICAID COLUMN MEDICAID THE CHILDREN’S SPECIAL SERVICES (CSS) programwithin theArkansas Department of Human Services’ Division of Developmen- tal Disabilities Services serves children and youth with conditions that require support and services beyond those of their typically developing peers. CSS provides care coordination services, or case management, to support families of children and youth in accessing communi- ty-based, family-centered, culturally sensi- tive services that help children with special healthcare needs reach their maximum po- tential. The CSS program goals are to help families get sufficient healthcare services and transition from pediatric to adult systems of care. CSS serves Arkansas children and youth from birth to age 21 with a long-term physical or developmental condition who are Medicaid eligible (i.e., SSI, TEFRA, or ARKids A eligible). Applicants must meet financial and medical eligibility requirements, which are determined initially and then annually by the CSS program administration. Eligible conditions include developmental disabilities and chronic health conditions. Some examples include asthma, diabetes, sickle cell anemia, cystic fibrosis, childhood cancers, heart disease, Down syndrome, CHILDREN’S SPECIAL SERVICES (CSS) PROGRAM