A national framework for a system of services for children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN) where they enjoy a full life and thrive in their community from childhood through adulthood.
- How can I receive updates related to activities and progress on implementing the Blueprint for Change?
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Sign up to receive MCHB’s bi-monthly newsletter, Partners in Progress, through HRSA’s subscription page. Partners in Progress features information, news, and events related to maternal and child health topics. If you wish to be on our list to receive information specific only to our work with children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN), please send an email to CYSHCN@hrsa.gov.
- How do the six core indicators of a well-functioning system of services relate to the Blueprint for Change?
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The six core indicators continue to serve as the pillars of a well-functioning system of care for CYSHCN.
The Blueprint for Change—with its focus on health equity, access to care, quality of life and well-being, and financing of services—provides a new lens to guide the field on how to approach this work.
Over the past 20 years, there have been major improvements in the systems of services for CYSHCN, but there is more to do. In 2020, only 14% of CYSHCN received care in a well-functioning system (PDF). The Blueprint for Change provides the field with additional information for strengthening the system.
- What is new or different about the Blueprint for Change?
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The Blueprint for Change outlines an agenda for advancing the system of services for CYSHCN. It aligns with the six core indicators and provides a new lens for improving health outcomes by addressing health equity, access to services, and quality of life and well-being.
The Blueprint for Change acknowledges MCHB as a national leader and the federal voice of CYSHCN and their families. It also provides principles and recommendations for families, researchers, health care providers, policy makers, and programs at the local, state, and federal levels.
- Why develop the Blueprint for Change now?
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It has been over 20 years since MCHB engaged in strategic planning to strengthen the system of services for CYSCHN. Critically, families, caregivers, and recent National Survey of Children’s Health data have highlighted the existence of persistent challenges resulting in a fragmented system of care. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic, recent natural disasters, and social and economic unrest had a disproportionate impact on CYSHCN. MCHB recognized a need to take action and embarked on a collaborative effort to examine barriers and to develop strategies to improve health outcomes for CYSHCN and their families.
- Who will lead the implementation of the Blueprint for Change? What is MCHB’s role?
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To achieve our shared vision, we need a diverse group of stakeholders to lead implementation at the local, state, and national levels.
The Blueprint for Change is a framework of needed research, policy, and practice initiatives for the field. It is critical that a wide variety of partners, including individuals with lived experience, state Title V programs, organizations serving CYSHCN, and payors work together. Together, using the Blueprint for Change, they can identify and implement specific strategies that will meet the holistic needs of CYSHCN, their families, and caregivers at various levels within the system of services.
We in MCHB have a unique role as the only federal agency with a statutory responsibility to support systems of care for CYSHCN through partnerships, policies and programming. We will continue to support efforts to strengthen the system of services for CYSHCN through our portfolio of investments and technical assistance opportunities and by acting as a convener and national champion.
- How can state Title V programs use the Blueprint for Change?
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State Title V programs were key partners in developing Blueprint for Change and will continue to be as we move towards implementation. We encourage state Title V programs to partner with CYSHCN, families, caregivers, healthcare professionals, payors, and other key stakeholders to use the Blueprint for Change principles to develop and implement strategies and actionable steps at the state level.
We, alongside our partners, will provide technical assistance and learning opportunities originating from the Blueprint for Change.
- Is there funding available to implement components of the Blueprint for Change?
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The Blueprint for Change and MCHB’s Strategic Plan (PDF - 590 KB) will continue to inform our programmatic development.
While we are unable to provide information on future programs at this time, we encourage you to search our full listing of current MCHB Notice of Funding Opportunities.