Kids Connect provides specialized services at licensed childcare centers and after-school programs for children with special health care needs so that they can fully participate in classroom daily routines, activities, and learning opportunities. Through KIDS CONNECT, Children’s Friend has additional classroom assistants trained to provide therapeutic services to support children with special health care needs. 

Who is eligible for this service? 

Children from infancy who:

• Have a moderate to severe chronic condition (developmental, medical, behavioral, or psychiatric) 
• Need support to interact with peers and function within the daily routine of a childcare/after-school program, but do not require 1:1 assistance, and 
• Are enrolled in Medicaid 

Benefits of KIDS CONNECT 

Children can show improvement and/or maintain skills in the following areas: 

• Functional communication and language skills
• Social and peer interaction skills
• Behavioral and self-regulation skills
• Self-help and functioning within a daily routine