Our Core Outcomes
Below are the National Performance Measures that guide the work we do, the programs we administer and outcomes we hope to achieve.
Medical Home
Once identified, children with special health care needs require a medical home: a source of ongoing routine health care in their community where providers and families work as partners to meet the needs of children and families. The medical home assists in the early identification of special health care needs; provides ongoing primary care; and coordinates with a broad range of other specialty, ancillary, and related services. National Website: http://www.medicalhomeinfo.org/states/state/oregon.htmlKey Systems Outcome: All children with special health care needs will receive coordinated ongoing comprehensive care within a medical home.
How we address this outcome.
Insurance Coverage
Families must have a way to pay for services. The Children's Health Insurance
Program (CHIP) has begun to address the issues of children who are uninsured,
but the problem of under insurance remains a major concern for CSHCN and
their families. In addition the range of wrap-around services needed by
families requires the availability of private and/or public health insurance
that covers a full range of needed services.
Key Systems Outcome:All families of children with special health care needs will have adequate private and/or public insurance to pay for the services they need.
How we address this outcome.
Screening
Infants and children with high risk health conditions must be identified early in order to help assure that they and their families receive the care and assistance to prevent future morbidity and promote optimal development. Advances in brain research, the Human Genome Project, and increased effectiveness of early intervention have expanded our capacity to identify children with special health care needs and offer an opportunity for early intervention.
Key Systems Outcome: All children will be screened early and continuously for special health care needs.
How we address this outcome.
Organization of Services
In order for services to be of value to CSHCN and their families, the system has to be organized in such a way that needs can be identified, and services provided in accessible and appropriate contexts, and that there is a family-friendly mechanism to pay for them. Thus, effective organization of services is a key indicator of systems development.
Key Systems Outcomes: Services for children with special health care needs and their families will be organized in ways that families can use them easily.
How we address this outcome.
The Family's Role
Families are the constants in the child's life and are pivotal in making any system work. Family members, including those representative of the culturally diverse communities served, must have a meaningful, enduring, and leading role in the development of systems at all levels of policy, programs, and practice. Family voices must be heard and families should be at each table in which decision making occurs. Thus, the involvement of families is a key indicator of systems development.
Key Systems Outcome: Families of children with special health care needs will partner in decision making at all levels, and will be satisfied with the services they receive.
How we address this outcome.
Transition to Adulthood
Youth with special health care needs, as adults, must be able to expect good health care, employment with benefits, and independence. Appropriate adult health care options must be available in the community and provided within developmentally appropriate settings. Health care services must not only be delivered in a family-centered manner, but must prepare individuals to take charge of their own health care and to lead a productive life as they choose. The broad definition of children with special health care needs includes those who have or are at increased risk for chronic physical, developmental, behavioral, or emotional conditions who require health and related services of a type or amount beyond that required by children generally.
Key Systems Outcome: All youth with special health care needs will receive the services necessary to make appropriate transitions to adult health care, work, and independence.
How we address this outcome.
