A newsletter to inform advocates for CSHCN about current issues and upcoming opportunities to express their opinions to policymakers and program administrators.
CALIFORNIA CHILDREN'S SERVICES Identifying Potential Improvements for CCS, Title V ProgramsCalifornia is required to conduct a needs assessment every five years to identify priorities for improving children's services funded under Title V, which includes CCS. The current process will determine priorities to be addressed during 2015-2020 and identify the most important and potentially effective changes CCS can make to improve services. The Family Health Outcomes Project at UCSF, which is managing the process, has recently refreshed its website, and information is available about a stakeholder meeting held January 6, along with extensive background material about the needs assessment process. See Resources for 2014-2015 Title V CCS Needs Assessment. Next Redesign Stakeholder Advisory Meeting The next CCS Redesign Stakeholder Advisory Board meeting is scheduled for Friday, March 20, in Sacramento, with specific location to be announced. Details about past and upcoming meetings are posted on the website. Write to CHPR_CCS@em.ucla.edu for more information. Positions Open in CCS Programs Applications are being accepted for a Health Program Specialist to work in the Title V program on behalf of children with special health care needs in the Systems of Care Division, California Children's Services. See the job description and details about desirable qualifications for this Sacramento-based position. Also, San Joaquin County CCS is recruiting for a new Medical Director/Assistant Health Officer. See the job description. NETWORK NEWS
CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY CARE COORDINATION COLLABORATIVE (5Cs)
CALIFORNIA POLICY Coalition Proposes Focus Areas for Medi-Cal Children's Health Advisory PanelMost of the positions are now filled on the Medi-Cal Children's Health Advisory Panel, which advises the Department of Health Care Services. A list of panel members as of January is posted on the Advisory Panel website, along with information about past and future meetings. March 18 is the scheduled date for the next meeting of the 15-member panel, which is still determining its areas of focus. Following up on the panel's first meeting, the California Children’s Health Coverage Coalition has sent members a letter outlining four options for assessing how children are faring under Medi-Cal. Read the letter (PDF). The March 18 meeting will be from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 1500 Capitol Avenue, Sacramento. Call-in number 888-397-5124, passcode: 3612132. Department of Developmental Services Issues Fact Book The Department of Developmental Services, which operates the Regional Centers system in California, has just released its new fact book (PDF), which provides data about caseloads, consumers and services. NATIONAL POLICY Congress to Reconsider Two Child Health BillsAdvocates are calling for support of two bills that have been re-introduced after failing to pass last year:
The Obama administration is appealing a court ruling that blocks regulations aimed at providing minimum wage and overtime protections for in-home care workers. California officials have announced that the state will not provide overtime pay after a federal judge overturned a U.S. Department of Labor rule that would have required minimum wage and overtime pay. Read more. RESOURCES Building Your Medical Home: An Introduction to Pediatric Primary Care TransformationThe National Center for Medical Home Implementation offers a resource that provides direction and tools for pediatric clinicians seeking to adapt their practices to become medical homes. Family leaders participated in developing the guide, which emphasizes family-centered care. See the website. Other useful resources:
TRANSITION TO ADULT CARE Webinar Series for Providers: Transition of Patients with Special Health Care Needs to Adult Medical CareSeven-Part Series – Second segment February 25 New York – Mid-Atlantic Consortium for Genetic and Newborn Screening Services Designed to give health care providers the tools and understanding necessary to care for young adults with special health care needs who are transitioning from pediatric to adult care providers. Patients and families are encouraged to attend to better understand their role in medical care transition. Learn more and register. WEBINARS Great Ideas in the Disability World: What Do They Mean for Our Children?Wednesday, March 4, 2015 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. Pacific Time Vermont Family Network Register. EVENTS 8th Annual Developmental Disabilities Public Policy ConferenceMarch 8-10, 2015 Holiday Inn Capitol Plaza Hotel, 300 J Street, Sacramento The Arc and UCP California Collaboration Learn more. 13th Annual Family Voices of California Health Summit and Legislative Day March 16-17, 2015 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Holiday Inn Capitol Plaza, 300 J Street, Sacramento Learn more and register. Support for Families 2015 Information and Resource Conference March 21, 2015 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. John O'Connell High School, 2355 Folsom St, San Francisco In partnership with San Francisco Unified School District and Community Advisory Committee for Special Education Learn more (PDF) and register. IN THE NEWS
WE'D LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU Let us know what's happening with your organization or family. E-mail Newsletter Editor Eileen Walsh at Eileen.Walsh@lpfch.org with your news or updates.
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