New Funding to Support National Center for System of Services for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs

This press release describes a new 5-year cooperative agreement from the federal Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB) to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) to form a new national center for the system of services for children and youth with special health care needs.  The AAP will form a National Center Consortium with The National Alliance to Advance Adolescent Health/Got Transition, Boston University’s Catalyst Center, and Family Voices.  This initiative, guided by a project steering committee, involves assisting state Title V programs and other key stakeholders in implementing MCHB’s Blueprint for Change, their national agenda, which calls for research, policy, and practice-level steps in health equity, CYSHCN and family well-being and quality of life, access to services, and financing of services.  The National Center’s key activities will include assessment of system-level gaps and emerging needs and pilot testing of innovative strategies in 5 states (years 1 and 2) followed by implementation of the Blueprint Roadmap in partnership with a diverse group of families, individuals with lived experience, clinicians, policy experts, and payers (years 3-5). See more →