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Bruton L, Storey M, Gentile J, Smith TL, Bhatti P, Davis MM, Cartland J, Foster C. Access to Home- and Community-Based Services for Children with Disability: Academic Institutions' Role and Areas for Improvement. Acad Pediatr 2024; 24:596-604. [PMID: 37939827 PMCID: PMC11056305 DOI: 10.1016/j.acap.2023.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This project sought to describe provider- and parent-identified needs and barriers to obtaining home- and community-based services (HCBS) for children with disability (CWD) and to determine ways pediatric health care institutions can improve access to HCBS services. METHODS In this exploratory sequential mixed methods evaluation, semi-structured interviews and focus groups were conducted with multidisciplinary providers and staff from an independent children's hospital, followed by a survey of English and Spanish-speaking parents of CWD. Data from interviews and surveys were then triangulated for overarching common themes regarding how pediatric health care institutions can better support access to HCBS. RESULTS Among 382 parent respondents, 74.1% reported that their child needed a HCBS, most commonly physical/occupational/speech therapies, school-based support, and case management services. Two-thirds of parents reported at least one barrier to accessing HCBS and one-third experience >3 barriers. While multiple current institutional strengths were noted, internal weaknesses included lack of provider knowledge, staffing difficulties, and lack of protocols for identifying and tracking patients needing or receiving HCBS. External threats included requirements to entry for HCBS and transfer of care, with opportunities for improvement involving dissemination of information, funding support, and connection between providers/support staff and services. CONCLUSIONS Parents of CWD identified HCBS as necessary for the health of this population, but multiple barriers to HCBS were identified by both parents and providers. Multiple internal and external opportunities for improvement relative to pediatric health care institutions were identified, suggesting a need for a comprehensive approach to ensure that CWD receive necessary HCBS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Bruton
- Division of Advanced General Pediatrics and Primary Care (L Bruton, MM Davis, and C Foster), Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Ill; Department of Pediatrics (L Bruton, MM Davis, and C Foster), Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Ill.
| | - Margaret Storey
- Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago Family Advisory Board (M Storey), Chicago, Ill
| | - Jennifer Gentile
- Tulane University School of Social Work (J Gentile), Tulane University, New Orleans, La
| | - Tracie L Smith
- Department of Data Analytics and Reporting (TL Smith), Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Ill
| | - Punreet Bhatti
- Mary Ann and J. Milburn Smith Child Health Outcomes (P Bhatti, MM Davis, J Cartland, and C Foster), Research, and Evaluation Center, Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Ill
| | - Matthew M Davis
- Division of Advanced General Pediatrics and Primary Care (L Bruton, MM Davis, and C Foster), Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Ill; Department of Pediatrics (L Bruton, MM Davis, and C Foster), Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Ill; Mary Ann and J. Milburn Smith Child Health Outcomes (P Bhatti, MM Davis, J Cartland, and C Foster), Research, and Evaluation Center, Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Ill; Department of Medical Social Sciences (MM Davis), Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Ill; Departments of Medicine and Preventive Medicine (MM Davis), Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Ill
| | - Jenifer Cartland
- Mary Ann and J. Milburn Smith Child Health Outcomes (P Bhatti, MM Davis, J Cartland, and C Foster), Research, and Evaluation Center, Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Ill
| | - Carolyn Foster
- Division of Advanced General Pediatrics and Primary Care (L Bruton, MM Davis, and C Foster), Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Ill; Department of Pediatrics (L Bruton, MM Davis, and C Foster), Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Ill; Mary Ann and J. Milburn Smith Child Health Outcomes (P Bhatti, MM Davis, J Cartland, and C Foster), Research, and Evaluation Center, Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Ill
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Keim-Malpass J, Constantoulakis L, Shaw EK, Letzkus LC. Lagging coverage for mental health services among children and adolescents through home and community-based Medicaid waivers. JOURNAL OF CHILD AND ADOLESCENT PSYCHIATRIC NURSING 2023; 36:21-27. [PMID: 36075862 PMCID: PMC10087945 DOI: 10.1111/jcap.12392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2021] [Revised: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
PROBLEM Many states cover mental health home and community-based services (HCBS) for youth through 1915(c) Medicaid HCBS waivers that allow states to waive certain Medicaid eligibility criteria and define high-risk populations based on age, medical condition(s), and disability status. We sought to evaluate how States are covering children and adolescents with mental health needs through 1915(c) waivers compared to other youth waiver populations. METHODS Data elements were extracted from Medicaid 1915(c) approved waivers applications for all included waivers targeting any pediatric age range through October 31, 2018. Normalization criteria were developed and an aggregate overall coverage score and level of funding per person per waiver were calculated for each waiver. FINDINGS One hundred and forty-two waivers across 45 states were included in this analysis. Even though there was uniformity in the Medicaid applications, there was great heterogeneity in how waiver eligibility, transition plans, services covered, and wait lists were defined across group classifications. Those with mental health needs (termed serious emotional disturbance) represented 5% of waivers with the least annual funding per person per waiver. CONCLUSIONS We recommend greater links between public policy, infrastructure, health care providers, and a family-centered approach to extend coverage and scope of services for children and adolescents with mental health needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Keim-Malpass
- Department of Acute and Specialty Care, School of Nursing, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Leeza Constantoulakis
- Department of Acute and Specialty Care, School of Nursing, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Emily K Shaw
- Atlantic Medical Group Child Development Center, Morristown, New Jersey, USA
| | - Lisa C Letzkus
- Department of Acute and Specialty Care, School of Nursing, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
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