Enrollee Testimonials

HSCSN Parents and Caregivers Tell Stories

Health Services for Children with Special Needs, Inc. (HSCSN) has worked in Washington D.C.'s communities for over 26 years. We are a Washington D.C. Medicaid Health Plan for children and young adults with special needs. We are the contracted health care plan provider for the District of Columbia’s Child and Adolescent Supplemental Security Income Program (CASSIP).

Our motto is "Caring, Serving, Empowering." Our families motivate us to live by this motto in everything we do. We are excited to share stories from our families about the health plan.

These stories are about how our health care services have helped families who have children with special needs. We help our families manage their full health! These stories have inspired us and we hope they inspire you!

Marva

“I would be lost without that insurance. My daughter has been dealing with a mental disability for her entire life, and this program is a true blessing.”

Marva adopted her daughter, Tania when she was four years old. Tania was already enrolled in the plan when Marva adopted her. Marva has utilized HSCSN’s Health and Family support programs and Care Management Services throughout the past 11 years.

Chioma

“Whether you’re grappling with accepting your child’s diagnosis or you’re concerned about your eligibility for care – it’s our duty as parents to expand the umbrella of people who care about and love our children.”

Chioma is the parent of two boys with autism who became enrollees of HSCSN in February 2019.

Adrienne

"I hold the beacon for HSCSN because they are there and helpful through the most overwhelming situations. The beautiful thing about HSCSN is that they have never denied her resources to help. Getting early intervention with HSCSN partners such as the National Children’s Center (NCC) has made an incredible difference in our lives."

Adrienne is the mother of 23-year-old Yonina, who was diagnosed with Down syndrome as an infant. Yonina has been a member of HSCSN her entire life.

Yetta

"Since joining HSCSN, my son has gained increased access to Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) services, which have helped him excel. “He’s learned how to make his bed!” “The training mechanisms have even helped him to change his sheets and wash his own clothes!”

Yetta, a parent of a 14-year-old son with autism, has dedicated her life to advocating for children facing autism in the DC Metropolitan area. When she learned of her son’s diagnosis in 2007, she wanted to connect with other families and, in 2008, created DC Autism Parents, a non-profit organization for families, and has served on many boards throughout the city.

Daisy

“When we find out our kids have special needs, schools, most times, are not equipped to handle the therapeutic aspects of children with complex needs. HSCSN allowed me to get the right diagnosis of my child as well as create the supports that were needed during those critical adolescent years to bring him closer to the level he should have been.”

Daisy’s son has been an HSCSN enrollee for almost his entire life. He began services at 3 ½ years old and is now 20 years old.

Alexander

Upon my introduction to the Male Caregivers Advocacy Support Group (MCAS), I was trying to navigate through the Health Care system and the education system. As a father and primary caregiver for my child, many people in the industry did not see men as caregivers. MCAS helped me to learn how to advocate through my child. Educationally as well as with healthcare. I was able to go to IEP meetings and learn about the needs of my child with others like me."

Alexander has a 13-year-old daughter named Jevian. Jevian has been an HSCSN enrollee for seven years.