Kansas
Department of Health & Environment
Bill Graves, Governor
Clyde D. Graeber, Secretary
embargoed for release on:
October 1, 2001
Contact: Mike Heideman, 785-296-5795
To raise awareness about the importance of community-based service systems for children with special health needs, Governor Graves has proclaimed October 1 as Kansas Child Health Day. This proclamation is part of KDHE’s celebration of National Child Health Day, the theme of which is All Aboard the 2010 Express for Children with Special Health Care Needs and Their Families.
"Children with special health care needs require consumer-driven, family centered and strength-based models of care," said Secretary of Health and Environment Clyde Graeber. "We hope to bring issues related to children with special health care needs and their families to the attention of people throughout Kansas."
It is estimated that as many as 18 percent of children in the United States may have chronic physical, developmental, behavioral, or emotional conditions that require health care and related services. This translates to an estimated 158,398 of 879,990 Kansas children that may have disabling conditions.
"Parents, educators, doctors, therapists – basically anyone who spends time with children with special health care needs – need to know what they can do now to improve children’s lives, so that those children can look forward to a healthier and brighter future," said Graeber.
National Child Health Day is an annual observance that dates back to 1928. Celebrated on the first Monday in October, it is intended to focus the attention of the nation on issues related to children’s development and well-being.
To receive information on services available for children with special health care needs in Kansas communities, call the Make-A-Difference Information Network at 1-800-332-6262.