• Locations & Hours:
    Job Center
    Suite 338 Dayton, Ohio 45417
    Office Hours
    • Monday8:00am - 4:30pm
    • Tuesday8:00am - 4:30pm
    • Wednesday8:00am - 4:30pm
    • Thursday8:00am - 4:30pm
    • Friday8:00am - 4:30pm
  • Contact - Phone Number : 937-225-6459
  • Introduction:

    The Children with Special Healthcare Needs (CMH) program helps pay for medical expenses for children with special healthcare needs. A wide variety of diagnoses are medically eligible for the CMH treatment program and we encourage you to contact Public Health to discuss eligibility.

    The program provides case management and service coordination for families with children who have special healthcare needs and are residents of Ohio.

    A Public Health Nurse (PHN) is assigned to work closely with a family to help identify some of the family needs, or a child’s diagnostic or medical treatment needs. The local PHN can connect families with Pediatric Specialists and with other assistance programs such as Help Me Grow, and Job and Family Services, while also continuing to provide CMH case management.
  • Contact - Email: /contact

Children with Special Healthcare Needs

The Children with Special Healthcare Needs (CMH) program helps pay for medical expenses for children with special healthcare needs. A wide variety of diagnoses are medically eligible for the CMH treatment program and we encourage you to contact Public Health to discuss eligibility.

The program provides case management and service coordination for families with children who have special healthcare needs and are residents of Ohio.

A Public Health Nurse (PHN) is assigned to work closely with a family to help identify some of the family needs, or a child’s diagnostic or medical treatment needs. The local PHN can connect families with Pediatric Specialists and with other assistance programs such as Help Me Grow, and Job and Family Services, while also continuing to provide CMH case management.

Child in wheelchair
Locations | Hours
Job Center
Suite 338 Dayton, Ohio 45417
Office Hours
  • Monday8:00am - 4:30pm
  • Tuesday8:00am - 4:30pm
  • Wednesday8:00am - 4:30pm
  • Thursday8:00am - 4:30pm
  • Friday8:00am - 4:30pm

The Children with Special Healthcare Needs staff works closely with other family assistance programs such as Help Me Grow (HMG) and Job and Family Services (JFS). HMG provides early intervention services for children with developmental delays, age 0-3. JFS provides services such as Medicaid, Food assistance, Child care assistance, Youthworks, and Unemployment.

Eligible Conditions

  • Hearing loss/Hearing Impairments
  • Heart defects
  • Seizure disorders
  • Cystic Fibrosis
  • Spina Bifida
  • Eye disease
  • AIDS
  • Cleft lip/palate
  • Neuromuscular disorders
  • Cancers
  • Kidney/G-I disease
  • Sickle Cell Anemia
  • Hemophilia
  • Diabetes
  • Bone disease
  • Burns
  • Chronic lung disease
  • Thyroid/pituitary disease
deaf kid girl and her mother sitting on couch showing symbols with hands

Medical Eligibility Criteria

For the CMH Diagnostic Program, a child must:

  • Be under the age of 21
  • Be a permanent resident of Ohio
  • Be under the care of a CMH-approved doctor (MD or DO)
  • Have a possible special health care need

For the CMH Treatment Program, a child must:

  • Be under the age of 22
  • Be a permanent resident of Ohio
  • Be under the care of a CMH approved doctor (MD or DO)
  • Have an eligible special health care need
  • Be financially eligible

For the Service Coordination Program, a child must:

  • Be under the age of 21
  • Be a permanent resident of Ohio
  • Be under the care of a CMH-approved hospital specialty team approved for service coordination
  • Have a diagnosis eligible for service coordination

Financial Eligibility Criteria

The CMH Treatment Program has a financial eligibility requirement.

Financial eligibility for CMH is determined case by case based on:

Meeting federal estimated income guidelines

  • The family’s gross income
  • The medical care the child needs
  • A calculation of the family’s maximum ability to pay for health care
  • Amount spent on private health insurance
  • Amount spent on weekly childcare

For financial eligibility CMH does not count income from child support, stepparent, or social security. Also, CMH does not count personal assets such as a home, a car, or a savings account.

When a child’s Doctor applies to ODH for CMH treatment services, CMH will send the parent or legal guardian a financial application packet. The Financial Application Form must be filled out and sent to CMH along with pay statements from each working parent and a copy of the most recent tax forms (1040). An independent young adult, under the age of 22 can apply on his/her own, providing pay statements and tax forms. A child/young adult receiving benefits through Medicaid or SSI is automatically financially eligible for CMH treatment services, regardless of the parent’s income.

Children with Medical Handicaps staff nurses help families with the Children with Medical Handicaps application, and renewal process. They assess family needs, teach about conditions and make referrals to health care providers and community resources.

Examples of Covered Services:

  • Laboratory tests and x-rays
  • Physician visits
  • Prescription medications
  • Surgeries, hospitalization, medical equipment, and supplies
  • Physical, speech and Occupational therapy
  • Public health nurse visits and hospital service coordination
  • Documents
  • Resources
  • Partners