The primary aim of the EPR project is to strengthen the workforces of family caregivers of children with complex health and social needs (CCN) and pediatric Emergency Medical Services (EMS) responders in Pennsylvania (PA). To do so, the project team will:

1

Develop a comprehensive resource toolkit and conduct a co-led (family leaders & EMS) community training for these workforces to learn together on improving emergency preparedness and response for CCN, using a training-of-trainers model.

2

Build on existing private and public sector strategic partnerships among family-led organizations, EMS, public health, and government partners across PA through the implementation of an advisory board of field leaders from across the state.

 

Project Lead Team

The EPR project team is based in The Center for Innovation in Social Work & Health (CISWH) at Boston University School of Social Work.

 

Key Partners

The EPR project lead team has convened a group of PA-based key partners to provide crucial support to project development and implementation.  

  • Parent Education & Advocacy Leadership (PEAL) Center

    PEAL works with families, youth, and young adults with disabilities and special health care needs to help them understand their rights and advocate for themselves. PEAL’s services are provided at no charge to families as they are funded by private donations and federal, state, and private grants.

  • Hispanics United for Exceptional Children (HUNE)

    HUNE works to improve educational outcomes for children and youth with all disabilities (emotional, learning, mental, and physical) from 0-26 years of age. HUNE is a non-profit organization that provides free bilingual (English and Spanish) programs, supports, and services on all aspects of special education.

  • PA Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC)

    The Federal EMS for Children Program is designed to ensure that all children and adolescents, no matter where they live, attend school, or travel, receive appropriate care in a health emergency.  Since its establishment in 1985, the EMSC Program has provided grant funding to all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and five U.S. territories.

 

 

 

Advisory Board

The EPR project lead team looks to our Advisory Board of leaders across PA for high-level guidance. The Advisory Board includes representatives from:

    • Pennsylvania Department of Health Title V
    • Pennsylvania Department of Health Bureau of Emergency Medical Services
    • Red Cross
    • Center for Public Health Preparedness at Drexel University
    • American Academy of Pediatrics
    • Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Office of Medical Assistance (Medicaid)
    • Family Member Representatives
    • Key Partners

 

 

PREPARE – Partners In Pediatric Readiness, Emergency Preparedness, and Response Education Toolkit and Training

This virtual training brings together families and pediatric emergency care coordinators to learn from each other, build trust, and practice real-life skills during an emergency.

The PREPaRE Training and Companion Toolkit were co-developed with cross-sector key partners serving Pennsylvania. Visit The Parent Education & Advocacy Leadership (PEAL) Center’s emergency preparedness webpage for all training videos and toolkit materials. 

 

 

This project is supported by HRSA of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant number G31MC42488‐01‐00, Emerging Issues in Maternal and Child Health, $250,000. This information or content and conclusions are those of the authors and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.