Lise M. Youngblade, PhD, Dept. of Pediatrics and Institute for Child Health Policy, University of Florida, 1329 SW 16th St., Room 5130, Gainesville, FL 32608, (352) 265-7220 x 86269, lmy@ichp.edu

In this presentation, we describe a community-based model for providing medical homes to children with special health care needs (CSHCN) who are served by Community Health Centers (CHCs). The medical home is a fundamental component of children’s care, and is central to efforts to increase access to care, improve pediatric health outcomes, and control health care spending. Many CSHCN in underserved areas receive care through “safety net providers,” such as CHCs. Because of limited resources, few CHCs offer specialized care of the type that may be needed by CSHCN. Thus, creative strategies are needed to serve CSHCN in CHCs and provide the services that they need. Our model meets these challenges through partnership with Title V, local CHCs, and families. We will describe four aspects of our model: (1) provider training and experience in medical home provision; (2) specialist network capacity and connections via telemedicine; (3) analyses of the type of care most needed; and (4) reimbursements for telemedicine that can serve as an incentive for sustainability. This community-based model provides an opportune way to address the health care needs of CSHCN in underserved communities who face great risk for poor health outcomes. The goal of this model is to ensure that each CSHCN served by CHCs has a medical home that is accessible, family-centered, continuous, comprehensive, coordinated, compassionate, and delivered in culturally competent environment.

Learning Objectives: After the session, participants will be able to

• understand the barriers CSHCN in underserved areas face in getting needed services;
• identify important partnerships needed to provide a medical home to these children; and
• describe a model for providing a medical home for CSHCN in the safety net.

Keywords: Children With Special Needs, Community Health Centers

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.