Portage County Bureau for Children with Medical Handicaps

            A Portage County Health Department Program

The Bureau for Children with Medical Handicaps through the Ohio Department of Health supports the work for public health nurses on behalf of children with special healthcare needs and their families. The nurse can be a valuable resource for families who may be coordinating with many agencies and providers of care for their child.

The Portage County Health Department has coordinated the BCMH program since 2009. During that time, public health nurses provided nearly 3,000 consultations and made 130 home visits. In the first year, over 400 Portage County children were assisted through the program.
 

• Assures that children with special health needs are referred to appropriate doctors and services;
   
• Helps families find and use the services they need for their child;
   
• Assists families when completing forms and paperwork;
   
• Visits the family and/or child in the home, school or other place agreed on by the family;
   
• Assists the family in understanding their child’s treatment plan;
   
• Works with families to develop a plan involving child, family and social service providers;
   
• Advocates for the child and family needs;
   
• Interacts with family to provide support, encouragement and advocacy.

Links:

• BCMH Programs
   
• FAQS

Additional Information:

• Autism - www.autism.ohio.gov