Webinar: Improving Care for Children with Chronic and Complex Needs – A Look at the National Care Coordination Standards for CYSHCN
This webinar discussed the need for and core elements of the new National Care Coordination Standards for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN). Informed by a group of national experts, including state Medicaid agency officials, health services researchers, families of CYSHCN and more, the Care Coordination Standards feature the structures and processes needed to deliver high-quality, family-centered, and equitable care for CYSHCN.
State health officials from the national work group will highlight their experiences in implementing care coordination programs and how states can use or adapt the National Care Coordination Standards for CYSHCN to improve care coordination for children with chronic and complex conditions. Speakers include:
- David Bergman, MD, Emeritus Faculty, General Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine
- Cara Coleman, JD, Program Manager, Family Voices
- Jeffrey Brosco, MD, State Title V CYSHCN Director, Florida Department of Health, Professor of Clinical Pediatrics, University of Miami
Wendy Tiegreen, MSW, Director, Office of Medicaid Coordination & Health System Innovation, Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities
For individuals living with complex, often chronic conditions, and their families, palliative care can provide relief from symptoms, improve satisfaction and outcomes, and help address critical mental and spiritual needs during difficult times. Now more than ever, there is growing recognition of the importance of palliative care services for individuals with serious illness, such as advance care planning, pain and symptom management, care coordination, and team-based, multi-disciplinary support. These services can help patients and families cope with the symptoms and stressors of disease, better anticipate and avoid crises, and reduce unnecessary and/or unwanted care. While this model is grounded in evidence that demonstrates improved quality of life, better outcomes, and reduced cost for patients, only a fraction of individuals who could benefit from palliative care receive it. 
