Family attendees and Orange County Department of Health staff at LEGOLAND. Photo provided.
The Orange County Department of Health was on hand at the event. Photo provided.
Families from across Orange County came together at LEGOLAND New York for a day filled with 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.
The event was inspired by feedback from local families. A recent program survey highlighted a strong need for more opportunities for caregivers to connect with others facing similar challenges. In response, the OCDOH worked with LEGOLAND New York to bring this vision to life—a special day for families to relax, enjoy themselves and feel supported.
Admission and parking were provided free of charge for families currently enrolled in the CYSHCN program. In addition to enjoying the park, attendees accessed health resources and information from Orange County’s Intervention Services, Community Health Outreach, and Emergency Preparedness.
“It’s incredibly special to see families come together like this,” said Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus. “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.”
“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 shared, “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.”
The event’s success was made possible thanks to Orange County’s Deputy Commissioners of Health, Lahiff and Gretchen Riordan; CYSHCN Coordinator, Paula Hayes-Hayden; and the division of Intervention Services. Together, they created a welcoming space where families could laugh, connect, and explore the resources available to them.
“It was truly a day to remember,” said Hayes-Hayden. “This event was about more than just fun; it was about reminding families that they are not alone, and that support, information, and community are available to them.”
For more information about the CYSHCN program or upcoming events, contact Paula Hayes-Hayden at phayeshayden@orangecountygov.com or (845) 360-6644.