RESOURCES FOR CHILDREN AND
ADOLESCENTS WITH ACQUIRED
BRAIN INJURY
There are programs in Kentucky specifically designed for young
people who are 18 or younger. This section starts with medical
programs and ends with educational programs.
First Steps: Children birth through 3
Brain injury in very young children may lead to developmental
delays that will require extra assistance for your child. The
Kentucky First Steps Program is a statewide early intervention
system which provides coordinated services to children with
developmental delays (including brain injury) and who are three
years old and younger.
All families who seek services from First Steps receive the
following services at no charge: Eligibility determination, needs
assessment and service coordination. With help, you will have
the chance to develop an Individual Family Support Plan (IFSP)
which will help you in getting your child the services he or she
may need. To learn more about First Steps and even view a video
about the program, visit their web site at http://chfs.ky.gov/dph/
firststeps.htm . To speak directly to someone about the program,
call toll free 877-417-8377. Centerstone Services in Louisville will
answer the telephone and ask for the First Step program. You also
may call the closest area developmental district in your area to
learn more about first steps.
Kentucky Children’s Health Insurance Program K-CHIP
The Kentucky Children’s Health Insurance Program extends
Medicaid coverage for children from birth until their nineteenth
(19th) birthday.
Eligibility
Family income must be below 200% of the Federal poverty level
and the child must not already have health insurance.
Services
Benefits are the same as traditional Medicaid.
Contact
Department of Medicaid Services
275 E Main St
Frankfort, KY 40621
1-877-524-4718
http://chfs.ky.gov/dms/kchip.htm
The Commission for Children with Special Healthcare Needs
The Commission for Children with Special Healthcare Needs
provides diagnosis, treatment and services for persons under age
21 in Kentucky. Although this program covers other physical
need; it also serves children who have received a brain injury. This
program requires that the person be a resident of Kentucky, under
age 21, has a medical condition that responds to treatment, is
covered by the program and the family meets financial guidelines.
This program helps children and families in reaching the
milestones that mark independence.
This commission helps children with special medical needs in
school, or if the family needs help in understanding and managing
a medical condition at home. More information about the
Commission for Children with Special Healthcare Needs call, toll
free, 1-800-232-1160 or visit on line at www.chfs.ky.gov/ccshcn/
Services Offered through this program:
• Care Coordination
• Hospitalization
• Surgery
• Lab test and X-rays
• Medication
• Durable medical equipment (wheelchairs and hearing aids)
• Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy
• Hearing tests
Contact Information:
To apply for this service contact the nearest commission office
and request an application. The request can come from a parent
or guardian, primary care provider, teacher or neighbor. You will
want to make an appointment to come to the commission and fill
out an application. Staff members will tell you what to bring for
proof of income and help answer your questions.
Early Periodic Screening, Diagnostic
and Treatment Services EPSDTS
What is EPSDTS? Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis
and Treatment Services (EPSDTS) are a federally mandated
Medicaid program for children. In Kentucky, it is divided into two
components: EPSDTS Screenings and EPSDTS Special Services.
EPSDTS Screenings
The EPSDTS Screening Program provides routine physicals or
well-child checkups for Medicaid eligible children at certain
specified ages. It is considered preventive care. Children are
checked for medical problems early. Specific tests and treatments
are recommended as children grow older.
The areas of health care that are checked include: preventive
check-ups; growth and development assessments; vision; hearing;
teeth; immunizations; and laboratory tests. Children should
receive health check-ups regularly or before the following ages:
1 month; 2 months; 4 months; 6 months; 9 months; 12 months;
15 months; 18 months; 24 months; 3 years; 4 years; 5 years; 6
years; 8 years; and once a year for ages 10-20.
EPSDTS Special Service Programs
The EPSDTS Special Services Program allows coverage for items
or services which are medically necessary and which are not
covered somewhere else in Medicaid. It is considered treatment.
All EPSDTS special services require prior authorization.
2020-2022 BIAK Resource Journal 43
Children/Teen Services
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