Children and youth with special needs have chronic physical, developmental, behavioral, or emotional conditions and require health and related services of a type and amount beyond that required by youth generally (MCHRB, 1997). They experience an increased incidence of severe chronic disorders including genetic disorders, metabolic diseases, severe respiratory complications, and orthopedic complications. Health problems affect many aspects of their lives. Estimated at 21 percent of the population, children and youth with special needs are a highly diverse, complex group that has grown steadily for the past 30 years as a result of the following: a) advances in medical science and technology, b) increases in the types of health and physical problems that affect children, c) increases in standards for achieving success in academic and employment environs, and d) the evolution in policy serving citizens with special needs.

The impact of special needs on children, youth, and families-and the cost to the nation at large-demand a long-term commitment to: a) increasing knowledge about effective strategies for improving health, education, and social services and b) disseminating systematically evidence-based knowledge to families and practitioners so as to ensure the availability of "best practices."