Children With Special Health Care Need - CSHCN

“Nothing you do for children is ever wasted. They seem not to notice us, hovering, averting our eyes, and they seldom offer thanks, but what we do for them is never wasted.”… Garrison Keillor

We love our children. There are very special to us. There are some children that will need special care all their lives. They are called “Special Needs Children".

Quick Look At America’s Children

• The number of preschoolers (younger than 5) in the United States in 2006 was estimated at 20.4 million, up slightly from 20.3 million.
• The number of elementary school-age (5 through 13) children was 36.1 million, with high-school age (14 through 17) children numbering 17.2 million.
• States with the highest percentages of older people (65 and older) include Florida (16.8 percent), West Virginia (15.3 percent) and Pennsylvania (15.2 percent). States with the lowest percentages were Alaska (6.8 percent), Utah (8.8 percent) and Georgia (9.7 percent).
• States with the highest percentages of preschoolers include Utah (9.7 percent), Texas (8.2 percent) and Arizona (7.8 percent). States with the lowest percentages were Vermont (5.3 percent), Maine (5.3 percent) and New Hampshire (5.6 percent).

Source: US Census Press Releases | Minority Population Tops 100 Million...Released: 12:01 A.M. EDT, Thursday, May 17, 2007 | Robert Bernstein | Public Information Office (301) 763-3030/457-3762 (fax) | (301) 457-1037 (TDD)| e-mail: pio@census.gov | Go To:   http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/population/010048.html

Financial Stress

Having a Child With Special Health Care Needs –CSHCN can affect a family’s finances, employment status, and mental health. The demands on families may require that parents cut down their work hours or give up a job, at the same time that they face burdensome out-of-pocket health care costs.

This is a very challenging specialty focus area for Financial Services Professionals. To be sure, they will help most families plan for their normal lifestyle expenses, while at the same time helping them save for their children's college education and then retirement.