Viewing services for children and youth with special health care needs through a community lens.

Children and youth with disabilities and special health care needs (CYSHCN) represent 13% to 15% of the US population. Their concerns are physical, intellectual, emotional, and social. Frequently, these children and youth contend with multiple, compounded problems. Although the medical, educational, and social systems address the concerns of CYSHCN as high priorities, CYSHCN from traditionally underserved groups continue to face significant barriers to community inclusion. They often do not enjoy the fruits of the new types of health, educational, and social services afforded to other CYSHCN. In this supplement to Pediatrics, we present a compilation of articles from researchers, clinicians, policy makers, medical educators, community-based organizations, and parents. Collectively, these authors ask the question, “How can we break through the persistent barriers that keep CYSHCN from underserved groups from benefiting from community inclusion and community-based services?”