This newsletter was sent November 29, 2016. If you’d like to receive our next bi-weekly digest full of a curated collection of resources, workshops, policy highlights, and action items that affect children and youth with special health care needs, please sign up here.

Reminder: Our 15th Annual Health Summit & Legislative Day will take place Feb. 27-28, 2017. More information and registration here. Free for families.

NEWS

Family Voices Of California To Hold First-Ever Youth Track At Upcoming Health Summit & Legislative Day

Family Voices Of California is proud to announce that in addition to our regular Health Summit programming, youth who attend our conference will have the opportunity to participate in a dedicated track for, and led by, youth and young adults with disabilities. The goal of this first-of-its kind session is to educate those in attendance on the aspects of health care that are critical to consider as youth with special needs transition from pediatric to adult care. Youth Organizing! Disabled & Proud, an organization that connects, organizes, and educates youth with disabilities, is working with Family Voices Of California on this session and will help provide panel speakers. Registration for the youth track will be available soon. To register for the regular Health Summit, click here (free for families).

RESOURCES

Report: Recognition And Management Of Medical Complexity

Published in Pediatrics, this report acknowledges that pediatricians, payers, and policymakers should recognize children with medical complexity, or multiple chronic conditions, as a distinct group in research, payment, and policy reform in order to improve care management and reduce cost. The report states that the overarching goals for children with medical complexity are to maximize health, function, development, and family functioning through patient and family-centered care, and to provide proactive care so that critical medical and health events are avoided when possible. To read the report, click here.

Ensuring Quality And Accessible Care For Children With Disabilities And Complex Health, Educational Needs: Workshop Proceedings

This publication is a result of the National Academies Of Sciences, Engineering, And Medicine‘s forum on promoting children’s cognitive, affective, and behavioral health. It summarizes a workshop that explored the needs and challenges faced by children with disabilities and complex conditions (and their families). The workshop also covered promising solutions and innovative approaches for improving care and outcomes. To download the publication, click here (select ‘download as guest’ and enter your email address).

Fact Sheet: Understanding The Effects Of Trauma On Health

This fact sheet from Advancing Trauma-Informed Care, a national initiative led by the Center For Health Care Strategies, examines the causes of trauma and how it can impact childhood health. It also explores the role health care providers can play in helping patients heal, and the kinds of policy changes that can support trauma-informed care implementation. To view the fact sheet, click here.

OPPORTUNITY FOR INPUT

Virtual Systems Of Care Forum For Youth Leaders To Take Place On Dec. 15

Led by Youth M.O.V.E, the Direct Connect National Learning Community For Young Leaders will focus on systems of care in their December virtual forum. The session is geared toward youth who are leading engagement efforts in systems of care, and for those who want to develop professional skills and connect with peers who are using lived experiences to implement system change. To learn more and register, click here.

Children With Autism Ages 6-12 Needed For Study On New Behavioral Eyeglass Aid

Researchers at Stanford University’s Wall Lab are looking for children with autism 6-12 years old who receive applied behavior analysis therapy at least twice per year to participate in a study on behavioral eyeglasses that are similar to Google Glass. The Autism Glass Project seeks to provide real-time behavioral cues and therapy sessions for its wearers as they interact with others. To learn more about the recruitment process and how to participate, click here, and to read an overview of the Autism Glass Project, click here.