Every five years, to gain an understanding of service system changes, the state Title V program conducts a needs assessment to identify the service needs of special needs children, their families, and the gaps in service areas [Section 505 (a)(1) of the Social Security Act]. This presentation will report the efforts of SC to conduct a follow-up study to the 1994 Statewide Needs Assessment of Children with Special Health Care Needs. As in the 1994 Needs Assessment effort, the ultimate purpose of the study was to gather information to inform policy decisions that foster service delivery systems for children with special health care needs that are coordinated, comprehensive, community-based, family-centered, and culturally competent. The presentation will summarize the findings and examine the findings and implications of this significant study. The key issues identified were similar across geographic areas, segments of the population and service needs. Overall, the findings indicate a need for enhanced health care coverage, increased access to providers, facilitation of educational, recreational, social, and employment opportunities for children and young adults with disabilities, and increased collaboration and training of providers to address the complexity of care needed by individuals with disabilities across the life span. The findings will be discussed in greater detail in the presentation. The challenge these findings pose for the Title V program is to examine the current system of care and to develop strategies, policies and practices that effectively address the multiple needs of children with special health care needs and their families.
Learning Objectives: 1.) Gain an understanding of the methodologies involved in conducting a needs assessment. 2.) Explore the ongoing and unique health care needs of children with special health care needs and their families. 3.) Develop an understanding of policy responses required to meet identified needs across all systems of care (i.e.,child, family, community, and state).
Keywords: Chronic Illness, Access to Care
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: SC Department of Health and Environmental Control, Title V Program
Family Connections, Inc.
University of South Carolina, Institute for Families in Society