What are Health Care Transition Services at OCSHCN?
Health Care Transition Services at OCSHCN (Office of Children with Special Health Care Needs) are a program of services designed to help youth with special health care needs transition from pediatric care to adult healthcare services. The goal is to ensure that these individuals receive continuous, comprehensive, and appropriate care as they move from childhood into adulthood, with a focus on maintaining or improving their health outcomes during this period of change. Transition checklists are completed throughout a child's time with OCSHCN, from birth until age 21, when they move on from our services.
Here’s what health care transition services at OCSHCN involve:
2. Education and Preparation for Independence
These services educate youth and their families about the process of transitioning to adult care. This may include teaching patients how to manage their own healthcare, understand medical needs, keep track of medications, and navigate the healthcare system independently.
3. Providing Resources and Support
The OCSHCN often provides information, resources, and referrals to help youth and families understand what adult healthcare services are available. This might include connecting families with adult specialists or clinics that have experience working with individuals who have similar special health needs.
4. Advocacy and Empowerment
Transition services help empower youth by encouraging them to become advocates for their own healthcare. This can involve teaching self-advocacy skills, promoting understanding of insurance options, and supporting the development of confidence in managing their health care.
5. Specialized Services for Youth with Complex Health Needs
For individuals with more complex health needs, OCSHCN may assist in identifying adult healthcare providers who specialize in treating specific chronic conditions or disabilities. This ensures that the individual continues to receive specialized, expert care after transitioning to adulthood.
When do Health Care Transitions (HCT) happen at OCSCHN?
According to Got Transitions, Health Care Transition (HCT) typically begins between the ages of 12 and 14, but preparation and care coordination start at birth or when the child first enters services at OCSHCN.
A child's medical history and the services they receive throughout their care include key milestones and transitions that play a critical role in shaping and defining the process of transitioning from pediatric to adult healthcare.
HCT Age Ranges
- Birth-4 years
- 5-11 years
- 12-14 years
- 15-17 years
- 18-21 years
In summary, Health Care Transition Services at OCSHCN are designed to ensure that youth with special health care needs receive continuous, coordinated, and comprehensive care as they move from pediatric care into adult care. This process is facilitated with the help of transition plans, resources, education, and support services to empower youth and families for a smooth and successful transition into adulthood.