Special-needs families connect at LEGOLAND

Families from across Orange County came together at LEGOLAND New York to share joy, connection, and community, thanks to a partnership between the Orange County Department of Health (OCDOH) and the New York State Department of Health’s Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN) Program.

In a program survey, local families indicated a need for more opportunities for caregivers to connect with others facing similar challenges. the Department of Health worked with LEGOLAND New York to create a special day for families to relax, enjoy themselves, and feel supported.

Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus emphasized the importance of such gatherings: “It’s incredibly special to see families come together like this. These events are a reminder that community and support make all the difference, and Orange County is proud to create spaces where families feel welcomed and connected.”

Admission and parking were free for families currently enrolled in the CYSHCN program. In addition to enjoying the park, attendees had access to health resources and information from Orange County’s Intervention Services, Community Health Outreach, and Emergency Preparedness, each of which contributed to the event’s success.

“Every child deserves a strong start, and every family deserves support,” stated Lisa Lahiff, Deputy Commissioner of Health. “Events like this help bridge gaps in connection and ensure that families of children and youth with special health care needs feel included, empowered, and informed.”

One parent said, “It can feel isolating having a child with special needs, and events like this remind us that there is a whole community here for us. Watching my child light up with joy and be surrounded by other families who ‘get it’ was something I’ll never forget.”

Lahiff and her co-deputy commissioner, Gretchen Riordan, worked with CYSHCN Coordinator, Paula Hayes-Hayden.

For more information about the CYSHCN program or upcoming events, contact Paula Hayes-Hayden at phayeshayden@orangecountygov.com or (845) 360-6644.