Children with Special Health Care Needs
Nearly one in five children has a physical, cognitive, developmental, sensory, emotional, behavioral or long-standing medical condition that requires special care. This page provides resources to help health care providers, schools and families work together to make Iowa ready to care for all kids.
Communicating with EMS
Families can help ensure optimum care for a child with special health care needs by "preplanning" with local EMS providers for a potential emergency. This tipsheet outlines strategies for making a connection with emergency care providers in the community, educating them about the child's condition(s) and needs, and helping the child feel comfortable with EMS providers and equipment if an ambulance is needed.
Tips for Parents: How to Preplan with EMS for an Emergency
Communication Cards for EMS
Iowa EMSC has developed a ring of laminated, low-tech picture cards designed to facilitate communication between prehospital providers and pediatric patients with special health care needs who have difficulty speaking. Cards will be provided to Pediatric Emergency Care Coordinators free of charge (What is a Pediatric Emergency Care Coordinator? See the Pediatric Emergency Care Coordinator Resources page for more on how to join this fast-growing group of EMS providers dedicated to supporting prehospital care for children). A free template is also available for use with permission, for those wishing to print their own cards, or provide them for local EMS services. To view the cards or for more information, contact EMSC Coordinator Vicki Petersen vicki.petersen@idph.iowa.gov.
EMS: How to Hold a (Post-Pandemic) Open House for Families with Special Health Care Needs
EMS agencies can encourage the relationship between health care providers and families by holding an open house for families directed specifically at children with special health care needs. These events are modified from traditional "touch a truck" experiences to retain all the fun while accommodating special equipment like walkers and wheelchairs, and being sensitive to those with aversion to noise, sirens, lights and large crowds. Find out how to hold an open house here:
Tips for EMS: How to Host a Families with Special Health Care Needs Open House
Disaster Planning for Families
American Academy of Pediatrics Family Disaster Readiness Kit
Department of Homeland Security: Helping Individuals with Disabilities Cope with Disaster
Resources on Specific Conditions
Note: Links to specific programs or sites do not imply endorsement of any provider or service and are provided for information only. Links will be added updated frequently. Contact us to suggest resources to be included in this listing.
Families and COVID-19
Your Life Iowa A clearinghouse for multiple resources on dealing with COVID-19, mental health issues, and problems with drugs, alcohol, gaming or suicidal thoughts
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC COVID-19 facts and guidance for families, work, school and health care
CDC: COVID Planning for People with Disabilities
Cognitive and Developmental Conditions
Iowa Brain Injury Resource Network Support services for individuals with brain injury
Autism Speaks Information and resources on autism spectrum disorder
Autism Speaks: Teaching Safety Resources to keep families safe at home and in the community
American Academy of Pediatrics: Developmental Disabilities
Chronic Medical Conditions
Asthma Action Plan Tips on managing asthma, from the IDPH
Prevent Blindness Iowa
CDC: 11 Things to Know About Cerebral Palsy
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
JDRF Juvenile Diabetes Resources
Iowa's Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Program
Muscular Dystrophy Association of Iowa
Epilepsy Foundation: Epilepsy in Childhood
Sensory, Emotional and Behavioral Conditions
Understood: Sensory Processing Issues
American Academy of Pediatrics: ADHD
MentalHealth.gov: Behavioral and Emotional Disorders
Child and Adolescent Mental Health
CDC: Children's Mental Health
Iowa Department of Education: Child Mental Health
Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine: Mental Health Resources for Adolescents and Young Adults
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children: Child Sex Trafficking Awareness and Help