Official Louisiana State Websites use .la.gov 
Secure .gov websites use HTTPS 
For Families and Caregivers
Children's Special Healthcare Services - Clinical Services (CSHS-Clinical Services) is a program for children in Louisiana with special health care needs.
Services
- Medical specialty care
- Referrals for medical testing, procedures, equipment, and supplies
- Medications and special diets
- Behavioral health and nutrition services
- Referrals to home health services and therapies (occupational/physical/speech)
- Referrals to early childhood development agencies
- Care coordination
- Help with shifting to adult life and care (transition)
- Referrals to parent and family support services
- Help finding community resources
Eligibility
In order to receive services from one of our CSHS clinics, a child must meet certain eligibility requirements. You can view the requirements and learn more about the clinics by clicking here (CSHS-Clinical Services for Families) or by reviewing the information below.
- Legally live in Louisiana
- Meet the Medicaid or CSHS income rules
- Be under 21 years of age
- Have a health condition that can be treated in a CSHS clinic. Some of the most commonly seen conditions include:
- Audiology: hearing loss or deafness
- Cardiology: ventral septal defects, atrial septal defects, defects of the heart valves
- Cleft lip and palate
- Neurological disorders and conditions: seizure disorders, cerebral palsy, stroke, brain injury, hydrocephalus, malformations of the brain, spina bifida
- Orthopedic: cerebral palsy, scoliosis, club foot, spinal cord injuries, spina bifida
- Otology: hearing loss, birth defects of the ear, frequent ear infections
- Plastic surgery: scars or contractures that limit function or movement
Contact your local CSHS clinic using the map below to find out more about which health conditions they are able to treat.
Apply for Services
The first step to receiving services from Children's Special Healthcare Services - Clinical Services is to complete this application. Section 5 of the application requires information from your child’s doctor about their diagnosis. You will need to include ONE of the following with your application:
- A note from your child’s medical provider (doctor, nurse practitioner, audiologist, etc.) with your child’s diagnosis on it, OR
- A copy of your child’s medical records that contain information about your child’s diagnosis, OR
- Your child’s medical provider (doctor, nurse practitioner, audiologist, etc.) can fill out and sign Section 5 (Diagnosis Confirmation) on the application.
If you need assistance filling out the application you can contact your local parish health unit or your local CSHS office.
Once you complete this form, mail it to your closest CSHS office. Use the map below to find out which office you should mail your application to.
Resources
- Help with Transportation to Appointments
- Medical Home & Care Coordination: A medical home is not a building or a place. It is when doctor's offices work together to make sure their patient is seeing all the right people and getting the services they need. Having coordinated care is especially important for children and youth with special health care needs who see many different doctors.
- Family Support Services & Resources: Our Family Resource Center staff and Community Resource Specialists help families navigate resources and provide them with emotional support if they need it.
- Regional Resource Guides: Find out what services are available in your area! Each of the 9 local resource guides contains brief descriptions of the services offered by local organizations serving children and youth with special healthcare needs, including contact information and eligibility requirements.