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

CCS Redesign Workgroups Defined; Some Usage Data Posted
Six technical workgroups have been proposed as part of the work of the CCS Redesign Stakeholders Advisory Board (RSAB). The workgroups will address data, eligibility, provider access/network, county-state relationships, quality measures, health homes, care coordination and transition. Read the workgroup descriptions (PDF). Also, a preliminary dataset regarding some CCS expenditures has been posted on the redesign website. The next RSAB meeting is scheduled for Friday, March 20, at the Sacramento Convention Center, 1400 J Street, time to be announced. Call-in number (listen only) is (888) 921-8686. Passcode is 961-640-6431. Details about the Advisory Board are posted on the website. Write to CHPR_CCS@em.ucla.edu with comments or questions.

 

NETWORK NEWS

Care Coordination—More Said Than Done
Pediatric care coordination is more talked about by policymakers than carried out by providers. Given its ambitious goal of addressing interrelated medical, social, developmental, behavioral, educational and financial needs, it's not surprising that families, who know the child best, are the true principal care coordinators. A new opinion piece offers some ideas about how hospitals and medical practices can support families in that demanding role. Read the commentary.		  
 
  One State's Approach to Implementing National Standards for the System of Care
To foster action to improve the systems of care for children with special needs, the Lucile Packard Foundation for Children's Health last year supported the Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs in developing national consensus standards for a comprehensive, quality system. Now the foundation is supporting dissemination and implementation of these standards through an Action Learning Collaborative in eight states. The group in Texas has developed a presentation on how they have adapted the standards to engage stakeholders around their state. See their tool (PDF) and the original standards.


 

DID YOU KNOW?

Bullying/Harassment and Special Needs
Kidsdata.org has posted new student-reported data on bullying/harassment for reasons of disability. Data are available by gender and grade level, connectedness to school and race/ethnicity, among other categories.

 

CALIFORNIA POLICY

Coalition Rallies for Increased Developmental Services Funding
The Lanterman Coalition, composed of 19 California organizations, is seeking support for its 10 for 10 Campaign to increase funding by 10 percent immediately for the state's developmental services system and programs. The coalition held a rally in Sacramento on March 4. Read more.

Key Upcoming Meetings
  • Medi-Cal Children's Health Advisory Panel – March 18 from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 1500 Capitol Avenue, Sacramento. Call-in number: (888) 397-5124, passcode: 3612132. Advisory Panel website.
     
  • Autism Stakeholder Meeting – March 19 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at 1500 Capitol Avenue, Sacramento. Department of Health Care Services webpage. Write to ABAinfo@dhcs.ca.gov for information.
     
  • CCS Redesign Stakeholder Advisory Board – March 20 at 1400 J Street, Sacramento. Call-in number (listen only): (888) 921-8686, passcode: 961-640-6431. Redesign website.
 

CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY CARE COORDINATION COLLABORATIVE (5Cs)

Committed Coalitions
Grant funding always provides a welcome boost, but two coalitions that are members of the 5Cs are finding ways to carry on their shared care coordination work without outside support. Read their stories.

 

NATIONAL POLICY

How King vs. Burwell Might Affect California Health Exchange
Opening arguments were presented March 4 in King vs. Burwell, a case before the Supreme Court that challenges the legality of federal subsidies for low- and middle-income people who buy health insurance in the 34 states that have federally run health exchanges. California is not among those states, but advocates are concerned that Californians could be indirectly affected. See One View of How the King vs. Burwell Ruling Might Affect California's Minorities, a Commonwealth Fund series on the potential impact of the case on providers, insurers and consumers, and Supreme Court Appears Split in Challenge to Affordable Care Act.

 

RESOURCES

  Fact Sheets Explain Dental Care Options Under Medi-Cal, Covered California
Pediatric dental coverage now is included in all Covered California health plans, and all children enrolled in Medi-Cal have dental coverage. The Children's Partnership (TCP) notes that many families may not realize that their children have coverage, or may not know how to access dental care. It often is difficult to locate a dentist who will accept Medi-Cal. TCP has created fact sheets in both English and Spanish to assist families in obtaining care. Read more.


Other useful resources:  

RESEARCH

Cost Saving and Quality of Care in a Pediatric Accountable Care Organization
A study of Partners for Kids, a pediatric Accountable Care Organization (ACO) serving a population of children covered by Medicaid in Ohio, found that between 2008 and 2013 the ACO was able to reduce the growth in costs without diminishing the overall quality or outcomes of care. Read the study.

 

IN THE NEWS

 

WEBINARS

Series for Providers: Transition of Patients with Special Health Care Needs to Adult Medical Care
Seven-Part Series – Third segment March 11
Topic: Adolescence to Adulthood and Assumption of Responsibility for Self-Care for Patients with Disabilities
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.

 

EVENTS

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.

Learning and Growing in the Early Years
April 17-18, 2015
Infant Development Association of California
Riverside Convention Center, 3637 Fifth Street, Riverside, CA 92501
Registration and Fee Details

Advancing Equity in Education & Health Care, School Health Conference
May 1, 2015
The California School-Based Health Alliance
Bahia Resort Hotel, San Diego
Health care providers, educators and children's health supporters will consider how to advance their collective mission to give all children an opportunity to succeed. Learn more and register.


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.