CISWH Project Resources

On Nov. 17, 2013, the Catalyst Center presented a workshop about select provisions of the Affordable Care Act and the implications for children and youth with special health care needs as part of the pre-conference activities at the AUCD (Association of University Centers on Disabilities) conference in Washington D.C.

This presentation outlines the basics of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) from the perspective of coverage and benefits for children with special health care needs (CSHCN), touching on health care delivery and payment reform. This was the closing plenary presentation of the 13th Annual Early Hearing Detection & Intervention Meeting, held on April 15, 2014.

Originally published in the April 2011 issue of the Catalyst Center Coverage e-newsletter, this article focuses on financing mechanisms for pediatric palliative and hospice care programs and provides some state-specific examples of noteworthy strategies for financing pediatric palliative care programs that can be replicated.

This brief offers a concise description of select provisions in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) with a side-by-side analysis of what they may mean for children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN) and their families.

In this February issue of the Catalyst Center e-newsletter, we highlighted the Massachusetts Child Psychiatry Access Project, or MCPAP, as a best practice in increasing access to mental health services for the children who need them. Initiated in Massachusetts in 2004, the MCPAP model has since been implemented in nine other states and is in the planning phase in three more. It is recognized by families and practitioners alike as a best practice in increasing access and quality of mental health care services for children.

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) provides states with important tools to help children and youth with special health care needs (CSHCN) and their families access coverage that is universal and continuous, adequate and affordable. This paper developed by the National Academy for State Health Policy (NASHP) for the Catalyst Center reviews and analyzes key provisions of the ACA relevant for CYSHCN to help inform state policymakers’ decisions in implementing health care reform.

As a companion activity to the release of this publication, NASHP and the Catalyst Center hosted a joint webcast in January 2011. Policy experts from the NASHP and Catalyst Center teams presented highlights from their analysis. A panel of state and federal officials shared their perspectives on the report.

Combining sound statistical data with compelling narratives from the personal perspective of those experiencing a problem or who are impacted by a policy decision can also help inspire new champions in the work to improve coverage and financing of care for CYSHCN. This page will discuss the benefits of using statistical data and family stories in efforts made on behalf of CYSHCN, as well as provide some tips for using these tools in effective ways.

Care coordination for CYSHCN is a service that links CYSHCN and their families with appropriate services and resources in an effort to achieve good health.

This guide is designed to provide basic information, action steps and deadlines to help young adults in Florida stay focused and on track with health insurance.

This Catalyst Center policy brief describes the impact of the CommonHealth program and its relevance to the Massachusetts health care reform experience.