California Children's Services (CCS)

children with special health needs and caregivers

California Children's Services (CCS) is a state program for children with certain diseases or health problems. Through this program, children up to 21 years old can get the health care and services they need. CCS will connect you with doctors and trained health care people who know how to care for your child with special health care needs.

The CCS program provides diagnostic and treatment services, medical case management, and physical and occupational therapy services to children under age 21 with CCS-eligible medical conditions. CCS also provides medical therapy services that are delivered at public schools.

SCPH's CCS program holds a biannual Medical Therapy Conference (MTC) Clinic for approximately 20 children. Here they see a pediatrician and an orthopedist to be evaluated for medical equipment and therapy needs. They also get to see an orthotist for orthotic fittings, and an equipment specialist for equipment recommendations, sizing, and fittings.

Does My Child Qualify?

Your child may qualify if he/she:

is under 21 years old
has a health problem that is covered by CCS*
is a resident of California
and has one of the following:
- family income of $40,000 or less
- out-of-pocket medical expenses expected to be more than 20 percent of family's adjusted gross income
- a need for an evaluation to find out if there is a health problem covered by CCS
- was adopted with a known health problem that is covered by CCS
- a need for the Medical Therapy Program
- Medi-Cal, with full benefits

*Examples of CCS-eligible conditions include, but are not limited to, chronic medical conditions such as cystic fibrosis, hemophilia, cerebral palsy, heart disease, cancer, traumatic injuries, and infectious diseases producing major sequelae.

How To Apply

Families must:

complete the English CCS Application or Spanish CCS Application and return it to your county CCS office
give CCS all of the information requested so CCS can determine if your family qualifies
apply to Medi-Cal if CCS asks you to