Delaware Special Needs Alert Program
What is the Special Needs Alert Program?
The Special Needs Alert Program (SNAP) recognizes children with special healthcare needs for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) providers. It is a pre-hospital notification program for any child who has special emergency care needs. When a child is registered in SNAP, EMS providers are alerted that the call is for a SNAP child. If medical information is available, providers will be able to give appropriate emergency care for the child and reduce the level of stress often experienced by the family when there is an emergency. In the event of a 911 call, the emergency medical service team, together with the family will determine the child’s most important needs.
Who May Enroll?
Any child with special healthcare needs may enroll. This includes, but is not limited to children with developmental delays, behavioral health problems, physical disabilities, special medical technology or equipment, seizure disorder, severe allergies, hearing loss, vision loss, diabetes, Autism, Down Syndrome, or Cerebral Palsy. This also includes premature and low birth weight babies. No family will be excluded if they feel they will benefit from SNAP.
Participation is strictly on a voluntary basis. You may cancel enrollment at any time. SNAP enrollment is free of charge.
How to Enroll Your Child
To enroll in the Special Needs Alert Program, please read the instructions and complete the following forms:
- The Enrollment Instructions - English PDF or Spanish PDF
- The Enrollment Form - English PDF or Spanish PDF
- The Consent Form - English PDF or Spanish PDF
- The Emergency Information Form - English PDF or Spanish PDF (optional)
Mail the original forms to Special Needs Alert Program Coordinator, Office of Emergency Medical Services for Children, DPH, Public Health Preparedness Section, 100 Sunnyside Road, Smyrna, DE 19977
For more information, please contact the program office by email: snap@state.de.us or phone: 302-223-1355.
Let’s look at a SNAP call to 911
When your child needs emergency medical services, dial 911. Describe the type of emergency and your location. Tell the dispatcher that your child is a SNAP child. EMS may review the child’s special health information and be prepared prior to arrival at the scene of an emergency.
This project was supported in part by the Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, Maternal and Child Health Bureau and the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, Hospital Preparedness Program Cooperative Agreement and Easter Seals of Delaware and Maryland’s Eastern Shore.
For more information, please contact the program office.
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