The Pennsylvania Department of Health and their community partners recognized the gap in health services for youth with special health care needs.

When these youth leave school, they transition from having different or no insurance coverage, from seeing pediatric specialists to searching for adult medical specialists, and having good coverage for medications to having to understand new systems for obtaining medicines. 

Working with the State Transition Team, agencies, and families, the Transition Health Care Checklist was created to guide youth, families and professionals during this time of Transition.

For a copy of this document please visit the Department of Health website at www.health.state.pa.us/transitionchecklist

If you are unable to download a copy, you may obtain one by contacting the Pennsylvania Department of Health's Family Health Nursing Services Consultant in your community by calling toll free 1-877-986-4550 or TTY 1-877-986-5432.

Who are youth with special health care needs?
Youth with special needs are those who have or are at increased risk for a chronic physical, developmental, behavioral, or emotional condition and who also require health and related services of a type or amount beyond that required generally.