1	University of Illinois
2	Division of Specialized Care for Children ...Serving Children with Special Health Care Needs
3	Established in 1937 DSCC is the Illinois Title V agency for specialized treatment and rehabilitation of children with chronic physical disabilities and health impairments.
4	Since 1957… DSCC is… serving as one of the university’s major public service programs with a presence in all 102 counties providing educational opportunities for physicians, families and students using research to evaluate program efforts
5	Organizational Structure
6	13 Regional Offices Serving 25,000 Families Annually
7	41 DSCC Satellite Offices
8	10 DSCC Specialty Clinic Sites Providing 80 Clinics Annually
9	DSCC Programs Core Program Home Care Program SSI Disabled Children’s Program Children’s Habilitation Clinic
10	DSCC Programs Core Program
11	Core Program By helping to provide specialized diagnosis and medical care, DSCC assists children to grow and develop to the full extent of their abilities. Works to help children with disabilities, and those who have conditions which may lead to disabilities, reach their full potential.
12	How does DSCC help? Any Illinois child from birth to age 21 may qualify for no-cost diagnostic services if it is suspected that an eligible medical condition exists. If the child has an eligible medical condition which can be improved through medical treatment, DSCC can provide care coordination and … If financial eligibility is also met, financial assistance.
13	What conditions are medically eligible? A child must have a treatable chronic condition in one of the following impairment categories: Orthopedic conditions bone, muscle, joint disease Heart defects Hearing loss Neurological conditions nerve, brain, spinal cord disorders
14	What conditions are medically eligible? Certain birth defects Disfiguring defects such as cleft lip, cleft palate, and severe burns/scars Speech conditions which need medical/ dental treatment Certain inborn metabolic problems, including phenylketonuria (PKU), galactosemia, and congenital hypothyroidism
15	What conditions are medically eligible? Eye impairments including cataract, glaucoma, strabismus and certain retinal conditions – excluding isolated refractive errors. Urinary system impairments kidney, ureter, bladder conditions Cystic fibrosis Hemophilia
16	DSCC provides only specialized medical care and services DSCC cannot provide help for: acute childhood illnesses routine dental well-child care immunizations school physical examinations
17	DSCC Provides: I. Financial Assistance Must meet general, medical, and financial eligibility requirements. DSCC is payer of last resort. Available insurance and IDPA benefits must be used first. Providers of services must be DSCC approved. Services can not be experimental in nature. Services must be related to medically eligible condition. DSCC must be notified within 30 days of service.
18	Examples of Services Eligible for DSCC Financial Support Clinic visits Diagnostic evaluations Doctor visits ER care Hospitalization Lab and X-rays Medications Surgery Therapy Cochlear implants Dental care with craniofacial anomaly
19	Examples of Services Eligible for DSCC Financial Support Augmentative Communication Device Prostheses and Orthoses Hearing Aid Wheelchairs Van lifts (one time purchase) Adaptive Equipment Consumable Supplies Walkers
20	DSCC Provides: II. Benefits Management Coordinate other financial assistance KidCare, Medicaid, Private Insurance Maximize Insurance benefits Assist family to understand insurance benefits Managed Care Exception: Medical necessity versus fiscal coordination
21	DSCC Provides: III. Care Coordination Primary Care Provider Management Care Plan Individual Service Plan (ISP) Medical, Social, Educational, and Environmental needs Transition
22	How do I apply for help for my child? Call the nearest DSCC office and request application forms. The application forms will ask you to: Provide Financial Information and Health Care Information about your child and family Both the completed financial information forms and the medical reports must be reviewed by the DSCC consultant before DSCC can tell you whether or not you qualify.
23	DSCC Programs Home Care Program
24	Home Care Program Is a part of the Illinois Medicaid program funded by the Illinois Department of Public Aid (IDPA). It is intended to help families care for children with severe and persistent disabilities and illnesses in their own home rather than a hospital or skilled nursing home.
25	Eligibility Requirements for the Home Care Program The child must be less than 21 years of age. The child must live in Illinois. The child must have a medical condition or disability so severe that, without the help of this program, the child would need to be in a hospital or skilled nursing home. It must be possible to safely care for the child in the home at a cost, to the State of Illinois, which is less than what it would cost the state if the child were in a hospital or skilled nursing home.
26	What are the Waiver Services? Environmental modifications Training of nurses (vent dependent children only) Crisis counseling: 6 sessions per calendar year Respite Care: 336 hours a year Medical daycare (an alternative to private duty nursing care) Certified Home Health Aide Skilled shift nursing care Special medical equipment and supplies
27	Reasons for Waiver Discontinuation Client turns 21 years of age Family moves out of state Client/Family chooses long term alternative placement Denial Treatment goals achieved Family wants home care without waiver. Client/Family no longer requires funding support from the waiver. Death
28	DSCC Programs SSI Disabled Children’s Program SSI-DCP
29	Congress Established SSI-DCP In 1978, Governor James Thompson designated DSCC as the Illinois state agency to administer the SSI-Disabled Children’s Program
30	SSI-DCP Program Services Eligible rehabilitative services from DSCC Referral information to Community resources Referrals to Early Intervention Program …birth to 3 years Referrals to Pre-school Educational Programs … 3 to 5 years
31	DSCC Programs Children’s Habilitation Clinic
32	Children’s Habilitation Clinic Located in the new UIC west campus Outpatient facility in Chicago Serves 1600 children with severe handicapping conditions annually Medical Director provides educational training to UIC health-related students and staff
33	DSCC Budget Annual Block Grant ~ $7+M Personnel Program Administration State Contribution ~ $13+M Medical Services Personnel
34	Thank you... Charles N. Onufer, M.D. DSCC Director email: cnonufer@uic.edu Robert J. Cook, Family Liaison Specialist email: rjcook@uic.edu