Medical Homes in Louisiana
This page is designed to keep you informed about events and activities happening in Louisiana that will help improve access to medical homes for children with special health care needs (CSHCN).

»Medical Home Initiatives	»Resources
»Related Grant Initiatives	»Educational Initiatives
»Partners in the State	»Screening Initiatives

Medical Home Initiatives
This section provides information on state medical home initiatives/programs. States that are a part of the mentorship network will have a "Promise to the State" which outlines how they will achieve to ensure that all children have a medical home by 2010. This is based on the Healthy People 2010 goals which are a 10 year action plan to achieve and measure success for all CSHCN.

Louisiana Medical Home Contact:

Name: Susan Berry, MD MPH - Children's Special Health Services Director
Physical Address: 1010 Common Street Suite 610
New Orleans, LA 70112                                                                   
Mailing Address: 1450 L & A Road
Metairie, LA 70001
Contact: Phone (504) 568-5055 | Fax (504) 568-7529
E-mail: sberry1@dhh.la.gov

Louisiana Statewide Medical Home Implementation Plan: Promise to the State 2003

Louisiana was selected to be part of the 2003 National NICHQ Medical Home Learning Collaborative - A fifteen-month collaborative activity to improve care for the growing population of CSHCN. This initiative focuses on 3 practices in the state and assists them in completing a quality improvement process to provide medical homes to their patients with special needs. It also assisted in building the capacity of Louisiana's CSHS and other health department programs to support and extend this approach after the completion of the project period. The success of one practice at improving family satisfaction after the addition of a care coordinator and a quality improvement program is summarized in the LHCQF Spring Progress Report website listed below.  CSHS plans to replicate this successful project in other key pediatric practices throughout the state.  Following the Learning Collaborative, CSHS also piloted an expanded Care Coordination Program in its CSHS subspecialty clinics in Region I (New Orleans).  CSHS plans to expand this program throughout the state over the next two years (2008-2010).

After Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, the state formed the Louisiana Health Care Redesign Collaborative (LHCRC) to help rebuild its healthcare infrastructure.  The LHCRC recommended that the rebuilt system be based on the Medical Home model of care.  This led to the Healthcare Reform Act of 2007 which authorized the Department of Health and Hospitals to redesign the Louisiana Medicaid system around a Medical Home model with Medical Home implementation. 

The Louisiana Health Care Redesign Collaborative (LHCRC) Medical Home Concept Paper: http://www.dhh.louisiana.gov/offices/publications/pubs-300/Medical%20Home%20Final%20Report%20v9.pdf

Louisiana Health Care Redesign Collaborative Charter: http://www.dhh.louisiana.gov/offices/publications/pubs-288/Official%20Collaborative%20Charter.pdf

The LHCQF Board of Directors voted to adopt the NCQA Patient Centered Medical Home Criteria for the state of Louisiana. They also held a Medical Home Summit May 23, 2008 where national and local leaders came together to discuss successful, state of the art Medical Home initiatives.

Louisiana Health Care Quality Forum (LHCQF)
http://www.lhcqf.org/

LHCQF: Patient-Centered Medical Home in Louisiana Spring 2008 Progress Report http://www.lhcqf.org/images/PDF_DOCS/Committees/Medical_Home/whitepaper_mhc.pdf

LHCQF: Patient Centered Medical Home Implementation Resource Tool Kit http://www.lhcqf.org/images/PDF_DOCS/LHCQF_Resource_Tool_Kit.pdf

LHCQF: Medical Home Committee 2008-2009 Strategic Plan                                   http://www.lhcqf.org/images/PDF_DOCS/Committees/Medical_Home/mhc_plan_08_09.pdf

The Department of Health and Hospitals is currently planning to pilot a medical home system of care involving Provider System Networks beginning in 2010.  

Related Grant Initiatives
This section provides information on current state grants that are working on medical home initiatives. This includes the grant abstract as well as key contacts for the grant.

Medical Home: Primary Care for the 21st Century Is This the Path to Quality and Value in Health Care? Presentation
Louisiana Health Care Quality Forum, May 23, 2008
Richard C. Antonelli, MD, FAAP
Assoc Prof Pediatrics, Univ Conn SOM
Chief of General Pediatrics
Connecticut Children’s Medical Center
AAP National Center for Medical Home Initiatives Project Advisory Committee

Partners in the State
This section provides information on who in the state (individuals and agencies) are working together to create medical homes for children.

American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Chapter:www.laaap.org/

American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) Chapter: www.lafp.org/

Title V Block Grant to States
Title V of the Social Security Act is one of the largest Federal block grant programs. It leads the nation in ensuring the health of all mothers, infants, children, adolescents, and children with special health care needs (CSHCN). Title V is administered by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB) as part of the Health Resources and Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Title V and Children with Special Health Care Needs
MCHB Objective: Support development and implementation of comprehensive, culturally competent, coordinated systems of care for the estimated 18 million U.S. children who have or are at risk for chronic physical, developmental, behavioral or emotional conditions and who also require health and related services of a type or amount beyond that required by children generally.

MCH Contact:
Joan Wightkin, DrPH MPH – Maternal & Child Health Director
Office of Public Health, Maternal and Child Health
 P.O. Box 3214
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70821-3214
Contact: Phone (225) 342-7981 |Fax (225) 342-2256
E-mail: jwightki@dhh.la.gov
Website: http://www.dhh.louisiana.gov/offices/?ID=267

Sarah Martin – Louisiana SAFE KIDS, Inc. Executive Director
1450 L & A Road
Metairie, LA 70001
Contact: Phone (not available)    | Fax (not available)
E-mail slmarti1@dhh.la.gov
Website: http://www.dhh.louisiana.gov/offices/?ID=234

Partners for Healthy Babies
1450 L & A Road
Metairie, LA 70001
Contact: Phone (504) 219-4572
 or
Bienville Building
628 N. 4th Street
Baton Rouge, LA 70821
Contact: Phone (225) 342-8350
Website: www.1800251baby.org

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
Website: http://www.dhh.louisiana.gov/offices/?ID=268

CSHCN Contact:
Susan Berry, MD MPH - Children's Special Health Services Director
Physical Address: 1010 Common Street Suite 610
New Orleans, LA 70112
Mailing Address: 1450 L & A Road
Metairie, LA 70001
Contact: Phone (504) 568-5055 | Fax (504) 568-7529
E-mail sberry1@dhh.la.gov
Website: http://www.dhh.louisiana.gov/offices/?ID=256

Laurent Lebien, MHA –  Children’s Special Health Services Program Manager
Physical Address: 1010 Common Street Suite 610
New Orleans, LA 70112
Mailing Address: 1450 L & A Road
Metairie, LA 70001
Contact: Phone (504) 568-5055 | Fax (504) 568-7529
E-mail llebien@dhh.la.gov

Healthy Ready to Work: www.hrtw.org/about_us/proj_files/hrtw_la.html

Early Hearing Detection & Intervention (EHDI) Contact(s):
State EHDI programs promote universal newborn hearing screening, develop effective tracking and follow-up as a part of the public health system, promote appropriate and timely diagnosis of the hearing loss, prompt enrollment in appropriate Early Intervention, link newborns to a medical home and strive to eliminate geographic and financial barriers to service access.

Name: Lorraine E. Farr, MS – Hearing, Speech and Vision Program Manager
Physical Address: 1010 Common Street Suite 610
New Orleans, LA 70112
Mailing Address: 1450 L & A Road
 Metairie, LA 70001
Contact: Phone (504) 568-5028 | Fax (504) 568-5854
E-maillfarr1@dhh.la.gov 
Web site: http://www.hearspeech.dhh.la.gov

Name: Meshawn Tarver, MPH – Universal Newborn Hearing Screening Follow-Up Coordinator
Physical Address: 1010 Common Street Suite 610
 New Orleans, LA 70112
Mailing Address: 1450 L & A Road  Metairie, LA 70001
Contact: Phone (504) 568-5046 | Fax (504) 568-5854
 E-mail meshawnt@dhh.la.gov

Name: Christy Fontenot, MA CCC-A – Universal Newborn Hearing Screening Program Coordinator
Physical Address: 1010 Common Street Suite 610
New Orleans, LA 70112
Mailing Address: 1450 L & A Road Metairie, LA 70001
Contact: Phone (337) 837-3648 | Fax (504) 568-5854
E-mail audmcf@aol.com

Name: Terri Mohren, M.Ed – Universal Newborn Hearing Screening System Development Coordinator
Physical Address: 1010 Common Street Suite 610
New Orleans, LA 70112
Mailing Address: 1450 L & A Road
Metairie, LA 70001
Contact: Phone (504) 271-1251 | Fax (504) 568-5854
E-mail terrimohren@cox.net

Name: Dwana Johnson Green, MPH – Universal Newborn Hearing Screening Epidemiologist
Physical Address: 1010 Common Street Suite 610
New Orleans, LA 70112
Mailing Address: 1450 L & A Road
Metairie, LA 70001
Contact: Phone (504) 568-3683 | Fax (504) 568-5854
E-mail ddjohnso@dhh.la.gov

Name: Mary Jo Smith – Universal Newborn Hearing Screening Tracking Specialist
Physical Address: 1010 Common Street Suite 610
New Orleans, LA 70112
Mailing Address: 1450 L & A Road
Metairie, LA 70001
Contact: Phone (318) 627-5714 | Fax (504) 568-5854
E-mail mjdsmith@bellsouth.net

Name: Melinda Peat – Hearing, Speech and Vision Louisiana Office of Public Health State Audiologist
Physical Address: 1010 Common Street Suite 610
New Orleans, LA 70112
Mailing Address: 1450 L & A Road
Metairie, LA 70001
Contact: Phone (985) 871-1300 | Fax (985) 871-1334
E-mail mpeat@dhh.la.gov

Louisiana Birth Defects Monitoring Network (LBDMN)
The Louisiana Birth Defects Monitoring Network is based in the state Office of Public Health and operates within the Children’s Special Health Services branch.  LBDMN identifies children with birth defects and related conditions in Louisiana; provides information to the families of children with birth defects on how to access local medical and social services; and participates in birth defects awareness and prevention activities across the state.

Name:  Kay Webster, MPH – Louisiana Birth Defects Monitoring Network Program Coordinator
Physical Address: 1010 Common Street Suite 610
New Orleans, LA 70112
Mailing Address: 1450 L & A Road
Metairie, LA 70001
Contact: Phone (504) 568-5055 | Fax (504) 568-5854
E-mail kwebster@dhh.la.gov
Website:  (under construction)

Name:  Dionka C. Pierce, MPH – Louisiana Birth Defects Monitoring Network Family Resources Coordinator  
Physical Address: 1010 Common Street Suite 610
New Orleans, LA 70112
Mailing Address: 1450 L & A Road Metairie, LA 70001
Contact: Phone (504) 568-5020 | Fax (504) 568-5854
E-mail dpierce@dhh.la.gov 

EarlySteps - Early Intervention/Part C Coordinator:
The Program for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities (Part C of IDEA) is a federal grant program that assists states in operating a comprehensive statewide program of early intervention services for infants and toddlers with disabilities, ages birth through age 2 years, and their families.

Name: Brenda Sharp - Acting Program Manage
 Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals
Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities (OCCD)
628 North Fourth Street
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70821-3117
Contact: Phone (225) 342-0095 Toll-free 1-866-783-5553 | Fax (225) 342-8823
E-mail  ocddinfo@dhh.la.gov
Website http://www.dhh.louisiana.gov/offices/?ID=334

Section 619/ Preschool Grants Program of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This program provides free appropriate public education (FAPE) for children, ages 3 through 5 years, with disabilities:

Name: Susan Wagley Batson - Acting Director
Division of Educational Improvement and Assistance
P.O. Box 94064, Room 4-186
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70804
Contact: Phone (225) 342-1192 | Fax (225) 219-7370
E-mail Susan.Batson@la.gov
Web site: http://www.louisianaschools.net/LDE/eia/2655.html

State Interagency Coordinating Council (ICC) Chairs:
The ICC advises appropriate agencies on the unmet needs in early childhood special education and early intervention programs for children with disabilities, assists in the development and implementation of policies that constitute a statewide system, and assists all appropriate agencies in achieving full participation, coordination, and cooperation for implementation of statewide system.

Name: Mary Hockless - ICC Vice Chair
First Steps Referral and Consulting LLC
134 East Main Street, Suite 4
New Iberia, LA 70560
Contact: Phone (337) 359-8748 | Fax (337) 359-8747
Email 1ststep@bellsouth.net
Website: http://www.nectac.org/contact/iccchair.asp#LA

Resources
State Waiver Information: Waivers are the result of a process that allows state Medicaid agencies to apply for and receive permission from HCFA to provide services not otherwise covered by Medicaid and/or to do so in ways not described by the Social Security Act. Most Medicaid managed care programs require Waivers. The Waivers, which can differ greatly, are known by their numbers (1115, 1119), or as home-and community-based, or as Katie Beckett Waivers.

Louisiana Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities Children’s Choice (CC) Waiver  Website: http://www.dhh.louisiana.gov/offices/page.asp?ID=191&Detail=6656

Louisiana Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities New Opportunities Waiver (NOW) Website: http://www.dhh.louisiana.gov/offices/page.asp?id=191&detail=5301

Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals Medicaid (Health Services Financing) Personal Care Services-Long Term                                                                                                                      Website: http://www.dhh.louisiana.gov/offices/page.asp?ID=92&Detail=4105

Educational Initiatives

Children’s Special Health Services Louisiana Medical Home Initiative: http://www.dhh.louisiana.gov/offices/page.asp?id=256&detail=8567

Screening Initiatives
This section provides information on surveillance and screening initiatives in the state.

State Newborn Screening & Genetics Programs: genes-r-us.uthscsa.edu/resources.htm

• State Newborn Screening Program Links
• State Genetics Program Links
• Regional Genetics and Newborn Screening Collaborative Links
• Newborn Screening State Contact Fact Sheet
• Early Hearing Detection and Intervention Program
• Louisiana Birth Defects Monitoring Network

Family Corner
Family Voices: http://www.familyvoices.org/states.php?state=LA

NAMI of Louisiana (National Voice of Mental Illness): la.nami.org/

Family Village: www.familyvillage.wisc.edu/index.htmlxx

Families Helping Families of Greater New Orleans: www.fhfgno.org/

Louisiana Disability Resource Center: www.ladir.org/

Hands and Voices Louisiana handsandvoiceslouisiana@yahoo.com

Louisiana Chapter of A G Bell Association www.agbell.org/la

Children’s Special Health Services Program Parent Support Program: http://www.dhh.louisiana.gov/offices/page.asp?id=256&detail=6290

State Resources on the Internet: www.medicalhomeinfo.org/states/index.html#res

Children’s Special Health Services Link webpage: http://www.dhh.louisiana.gov/offices/links.asp?ID=256

State Resources on the Internet

Note: The information provided on the state pages was submitted by the state medical home teams.As this is not an exhaustive list, please let us know if you have additions for your state resource page. You can contact us at: medical home@aap.org.