Special Kids Network of Pennsylvania

The Special Kids Network (SKN), in partnership with the Pennsylvania Elks Home Service Program, helps children and youth with special health care needs and disabilities get the services and support they require in order to thrive in their community and develop to their full potential. We accomplish this by:

• providing information on health care services and other resources by calling the SKN, toll-free helpline (1-800-986-4550);
• offering service coordination to families through a partnership with the Pennsylvania Elks Home Service Program where an Elks Home Service staff person will work with families in their homes to connect them to needed services and resources; and,
• supporting eight regional coordinators, who are all parents of children with special health care needs and disabilities, to work in communities to identify service gaps and address the unique challenges of service systems.

The Special Kids Network helps children and youth with special health care needs, by helping their families get the services and support these young people require in order to thrive in the community and develop to their full potential.

The Special Kids Network offers:

1. A toll-free Special Kids Network helpline at 1-800-986-4550. Department of Health Staff can provide information about health care resources, education, employment, respite care, advocacy, assistive technologies and more.
2. Service Coordination – If the family has further needs that cannot be addressed by telephone – with permission – a referral can be made to the PA Elks Home Service Program for free in-home service coordination services.