Children’s Special Services
Children’s Special Services is the State Title V Program for children and youth with special health care needs and provides access to comprehensive medical care for children with physical disabilities from birth to 21 years of age.Notice: The Davidson County Chancery Court has issued a temporarily injunction, enjoining the Department of Health from “reporting, pursuant to Public Chapter 1106, of the 114th General Assembly, to the centralized immigration enforcement division within the Tennessee Department of Safety identifying information about patients receiving health care services through Tennessee’s Children’s Special Services (“C.S.S.”) program whom the Tennessee Department of Health has determined are not “lawfully present” in the United States under the federal Immigration and Nationality Act.” The injunction also requires certain steps by the Department with regard to those enrolled in the CSS program as of June 1, 2026. Click for the full text of the injunction.
Click the Translate menu at the bottom of this page to view this information, and this webpage, in the language of your choice.
About Children's Special Services
Children’s Special Services is the State Title V Program for children and youth with special health care needs. Children's Special Services provides access to comprehensive medical care for children with physical disabilities from birth to 21 years of age.
Diagnostic and financial eligibility criteria must be met to participate in the program. The Children's Special Services program is a payer of last resort.
The Children's Special Services program is coordinated through all 95 local health departments in Tennessee and provides resources for medical and nonmedical services.
Contact your local health department for information about eligibility or call Children's Special Services at (615) 741-7353.
Our Companion Tennessee Department of Health Programs
Children's Special Services Eligibility Criteria
Diagnostic Eligibility
A child/youth is eligible for the program if s/he is under the age of 21, and has been diagnosed with a physical disability which requires medical, surgical, dental or rehabilitative treatment.
Services Available:
| Diagnostic Evaluation | Medical and Surgical Treatment |
| Hospitalization | Care Coordination |
| Rehabilitation Services | Physical and Occupational Therapy |
| Medications | Braces and Artificial Limbs |
| Speech and Language | Durable Medical Equipment |
| Hearing Aids/Supplies | Wheelchairs and Walkers |
| Special Formula/Food | Pharmacy Needs |
The CSS Program has an approved diagnostic list of over 500 eligible diagnoses. This list is not all inclusive. The most common diagnoses are:
| Asthma | Diabetes |
| Cardiac Related | Hearing Loss |
| Cerebral Palsy | Obesity (Greater than 95th percentile) |
| Congenital Hydrocephalus | Seizure Disorders |
| Cystic Fibrosis | Sickle Cell Anemia |
Financial Eligibility
Financial eligibility is based on family size and income level. The family’s adjusted gross income must be at or below the 225% federal poverty level.
Tennessee Department of Health Children's Special Services Program Financial Eligibility Requirements Effective January 17, 2025.
| Family Size | Annual Income Poverty Level for 2024 | ||
| 100% | 200% | 225% | |
| 1 | 15,650 | 31,300 | 35,213 |
| 2 | 21,150 | 42,300 | 47,588 |
| 3 | 26,650 | 53,300 | 59,963 |
| 4 | 32,150 | 64,300 | 72,338 |
| 5 | 37,650 | 75,300 | 84,713 |
| 6 | 43,150 | 86,300 | 97,088 |
| 7 | 48,650 | 97,300 | 109,463 |
| 8 | 54,150 | 108,300 | 121,838 |
| Each additional person add | 5,500 | 5,500 | 5,500 |
Guidelines based on the HHS Federal Poverty Guidelines, Federal Register / Vol. 90, No. 11 / Friday, January 17, 2025 / pp. 5917 – 5918.
For Families
Assuring a child's needs are met is a dynamic process driven by different factors -- the child's health status and developmental progress, the specific needs of the child and family, the primary care physician's expertise with children with special health care needs, and the ability of the family and/or other professionals to participate in care coordination.
For additional information click on the links below:
Katie Beckett Program
The Katie Beckett Program is for Tennessee residents, under the age of 18, with disabilities and/or complex medical needs who would not usually qualify for TennCare. This program helps to fill gaps between the child’s needs and what private insurance will cover.
Program Referral for Community Health Access & Navigation (CHANT)
This Page Last Updated: July 21, 2026 at 5:06 PM