California Children Services: CCS

California Children Services: CCS is a part of the State Department of Health Services in the Children's Medical Service Branch. The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department administers CCS for Santa Barbara County. The CCS provides medical care to children who are at risk for or who have serious, chronic and disabling physical conditions or diseases. Anyone can refer a child to CCS; but CCS will require medical reports and prescriptions for care from a physician in order to determine eligibility and authorize services.

CCS works with other agencies that help children, and focuses on the child's physical or medical special needs. The local and County school systems support the educational needs of children. The Tri-Counties Regional Center offers services to children with developmental challenges. The County Alcohol, Drug & Mental Health Department and Department of Social Services assist with the psychological and social service needs of children. You may click on these names in the left hand side bar to go to their Web Sites.

CCS includes four types of services for children (0-21 years) with special health care needs. Below are brief descriptions of the services. Click on the individual programs as listed in the sidebar to view the details of each one.

High Risk Infant Follow Up: HRIF

HRIF offers high risk infants comprehensive developmental evaluations. Infants who are born with a risk factor(s) for physical developmental problems may qualify for this program. The goal is to identify infants and toddlers with delays and refer them for early developmental services to prevent serious physical disability.

Diagnostic Program

The CCS Diagnostic Program refers and pays for evaluations by medical specialists when a child may have a eligible medical condition. Financial eligibility is not a requirement of this part of CCS.

Treatment Program

The CCS Treatment Program provides comprehensive case management for children with serious, chronic, disfiguring, or disabling medical conditions or diseases. Case management means that a team of professionals at CCS helps families and the treating physicians obtain the best possible medical care for the child. Sometimes this means arranging visits to Special Care Centers or purchasing medical equipment for the home. The child must have a medically eligible condition or disease and the family must meet financial eligibility criteria.

Medical Therapy Program: MTP

The MTP provides physical and occupational therapy to children with certain physical (neuromuscular or orthopedic) conditions or diseases. These services are provided free of charge and without regard to the family's financial status. They are offered in special locations (Medical Therapy Units) associated with schools. In addition, consultation may occur in the classroom and home.