In California, about 15 percent of children had special health care needs in 2007 — chronic physical, developmental, or behavioral conditions that require more than routine health and related services. A report commissioned by the Foundation documents areas in which the state is lagging on providing high-quality services for these children and their families.
The first-ever "California Index of Child and Youth Well Being" shows a consistent pattern of improvement in how children have fared over the last decade, but warns that the present economic recession could undermine and possibly even reverse those gains.
This 2009 report provides a comprehensive overview of California’s health care system and related systems, including publicly and privately funded services; analysis of the strengths and gaps within the current service systems; and an assessment of the impact on children and families. The report offers recommendations for addressing current deficiencies.
This 2009 report identifies promising models implemented outside of California to support the system of care for children with special health care needs.
The Foundation sponsored several convenings with a wide-ranging group of stakeholders to develop an enhanced model of the system of care for children with special health care needs.
