State Mentors

The mission to states is to develop a strategic plan that will allow every child with special health care needs (CSHCN) to have access to a medical home by the year 2010. A State mentor has demonstrated success in their efforts through collaboration between public and private entities; strong commitments to partnerships between physicians, families, and state agencies; and the pursuit of stated goals beyond that which "typical" funding mechanisms allow. The core team members from each state represent pediatricians, family physicians, families, Title V Children with Special Health Care Needs programs, Medicaid programs, key community stakeholders and other state and public agencies.

At the National Center of Medical Home Initiatives for Children with Special Needs, we recognize the need for additional technical assistance at the state and local level in order to achieve the goals set forth in HP 2010 for children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN) which are to:

1. Increase the proportion of CYSHCN who have access to a medical home and


2. Increase the proportion of Territories and States that have service systems for CYSHCN.

HP 2010 - Achieving and Measuring Success: A National Agenda for Children with Special Health Care Needs.

The 6 critical indicators of progress & the National Centers charged with helping the nation achieve these goals.

1. Children will be screened early and continuously for special health care needs
   National Center for Hearing Assessment & Management:
   Web site | Abstract
   The National Newborn Screening and Genetics Resource Center
   Web site
   American College of Medical Genetics Coordinating Center
   Web site | Abstract
2. Families of CSHCN will participate in decision making at all levels and will be satisfied with the services they receive.
   Family Voices
   Web site | Abstract
   National Center for Cultural Competence
   Web site | Abstract
   
3. CSHCN will receive regular ongoing comprehensive care
   within a medical home.
   The National Center of Medical Home Initiatives for CSHCN
   Web site | Abstract
   
4. Families of CSHCN will have adequate public and/or private insurance to pay for the services they need.
   The Catalyst Center: Improving Financing of Care for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs
   Web site | Abstract
   
5. Community-based service systems will be organized so families can use them easily.
   Champions for Progress Center
   Web site | Abstract
   
6. Youth with special health care needs (YSHCN) will receive the services necessary to make transitions to all aspects of adult life.
   Healthy & Ready to Work National Center (HRTW)
   Web site | Abstract
   

Other Key Partners:

1. Communities Can! a national network of communities who are dedicated to serving all children, including those with or at risk for special needs gucchd.georgetown.edu/programs/ta_center/communities_can/index.html
   


2. Federation of Families for Children's Mental Health: a nationally affiliated, parent-run organization focused on the needs of children and youth with emotional, behavioral or mental disorders and their families. Florida's CMH program can be found at: www.fifionline.org/fl_frderation_for_childrens_ment.htm
Or, click here to view a presentation on the program.


3. Institute for Child Health Policy - The Institute for Leaders
   in the State Title V CSHCN Program cshcnleaders.ichp.edu/
   


4. Institute of Medicine - Crossing the Quality Chasm:
   The IOM Health Care Quality Initiative.
   The American health care delivery system is in need of fundamental change. The current care systems cannot do the job. Trying harder will not work. changing the systems of care will.
   In 1996, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) launched a concerted, ongoing effort focused on assessing and improving the nation’s quality of care, which is now in its third phase. For more information on the national action plan to transforming health care quality go to: www.iom.edu/focuson.asp?id=8089



5. Parent Advocacy Coalition for Educational Rights
   (PACER Center): The Minnesota Parent Center is a statewide project designed to help families and schools build stronger ties to benefit students. The Minnesota
   Parent Center provides: free training, individual assistance, information handouts. www.pacer.org/mpc/
   


6. Support for Families of Children with Disabilities:
   In addition to providing support and resources to CSHCN and families in San Francisco, the program attempt to bring together a selection of some of the better resources on the Internet, organize them in an accessible manner, and provide brief annotations. It also offers information on legislative and public policy web sites to provide families, professionals and the community with resources to navigate the maze of legislation that governs the delivery of services to CSHCN. www.supportforfamilies.org

Getting Started - A Plan for Your State

The National Center strongly encourages all states to begin the planning process for achieving the goals set forth in Healthy People 2010 for CSHCN as soon as possible. In order to achieve these goals by the year 2010, it is important to get started now.

Setting the Stage for your Medical Home State Action Plan
This presentation can be used to help launch and inspire your medical home team on the path to building systems of care to support medical homes throughout your state.

The Promise to The State is the state action plan to achieving medical homes for CSHCN by 2010. This document outlines the steps that will be taken to make the provision of medical homes for children with special health care needs a reality by the year 2010.

It starts with an Overview of the plan. If a child is born with a special need in 2010, how will your system address the needs of this child within the context of a medical home? It also includes The Plan of Action, Method of Evaluation, and State Resources.

There are a multitude of activities and methods you can use to engage individuals in your state to make the commitment.

Click here to see what states have a strategic plan that would allow all CSHCN in their state access to a medical home by the year 2010 known as a "Promise to the State."

Each year the National Center plans to bring new teams that include individual practices, community based initiatives, and statewide initiatives into the National Medical Home Mentorship Network.

If you would like more information on how to begin the process of developing a plan for your state, contact us at: phone: 800-433-9016, # 4917 | fax: (847) 228-7035 | medical_home@aap.org