Children and Youth with Special Health Needs (CYSHN)
Programs
- Birth Defects Monitoring and Analysis
- Early Hearing Detection and Intervention
- Follow Along Program (FAP)
- Longitudinal Follow-up for Newborn Screening Conditions
Related Sites
Information and Resources for:
Contact Info
Transitioning to Adult Health Care
Announcements
- Join the MN Project ECHO Health Care Transition Learning Collaborative! The collaborative offers free, interactive monthly sessions to support pediatric to adult transition.
- A new opportunity for health care transition process support is now available. A stipend will be awarded to participating sites. Apply for the HCT Process Improvement Learning Track with Gillette Children's today!
- A 2018 clinical report on transition from adolescence to adulthood was reaffirmed in July 2023. The revised AAP/AAFP/ACP Transition Report includes new and updated references and data.
- A School Health Nurse special interest group focused on special education transition meets monthly to network and share best practices. For more information, email health.cyshn@state.mn.us.
Navigating adolescence can be challenging by itself. For those with health complexities, it can be even more challenging. In Minnesota, an estimated 120.724 youth (approximately 27.6% of 12-17-year-olds who live in the state) currently navigate through adolescence with a disability, chronic condition, or other special health need. (Oswald, Gilles, and Cannady).
What is Health Care Transition?
"Health care transition is the process of changing from a child to an adult model of health care. The goal of transition is to optimize health and assist youth in reaching their full potential. To achieve this goal requires an organized transition process to support youth in acquiring independent health care skills, preparing for an adult model of care” (The National Alliance to Advance Adolescent Health).
It is important for all youth to be connected to programs, services, activities, and supports that prepare them to manage their physical, mental, and emotional well-being and develop life skills to make informed choices. The ability to manage one's health is a critical factor in success in school and transitioning into employment. This is especially true for youth with life-long health conditions.
Transition for Youth with Special Health Needs
Transition-focused recommendations employing a multi-pronged approach to the planning, transferring and integration into adult care of young adults with special health needs, will optimize short and long-term health outcomes for youth with special health needs.
What is Health Care Transition?
"Health care transition is the process of changing from a child to an adult model of health care. The goal of transition is to optimize health and assist youth in reaching their full potential. To achieve this goal requires an organized transition process to support youth in acquiring independent health care skills, preparing for an adult model of care (Got Transition - Six Core Elements of Health Care Transition).
It is important for all youth to be connected to programs, services, activities, and supports that prepare them to manage their physical, mental and emotional well-being and develop life skills to make informed choices. The ability to manage one's health is a critical factor in success in school and transitioning into employment. This is especially true for youth with life-long health conditions.
The benefits of purposeful transition care include:
- Providing youth with ongoing access to primary care and subspecialist care.
- Promoting competence of disease management.
- Fostering independence.
- Developing socially and emotionally through self-advocacy and communication skills.
- Support for long-term health care planning and life goals.