This paper will present the Family Maintenance Healthcare Demonstration Project (FMHDP), which addresses the unique health needs of abused and neglected children in Los Angeles County.
L.A. Care Health Plan (LACHP), the nation's largest Medicaid managed care health plan, is developing the FMHDP in collaboration with community practitioners and advocates, policymakers, and researchers. The FMHDP targets LACHP member children who live in their homes under child protective services (CPS) supervision in "Family Maintenance" (FM) programs. Studies demonstrate abused and neglected children in foster care have a multitude of health problems, yet no data exists on the specific issues of FM children. Policies and programs targeting FM children have not been developed.
Physicians will receive training to assess and ensure treatment for the interrelated physical, mental, developmental and psychosocial needs of FM children. The project will include comprehensive health case management and care coordination with the CPS caseworker. LACHP will use baseline health status data and results from the project evaluation to drive policy for children in FM. The FMHDP will serve as a model for managed health care delivery to reduce the health disparities present in abused and neglected children.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the presentation, the participant should be able to articulate the health status and systems issues of abused and neglected children, describe the model developed to address the needs of these children in Medicaid managed health care, and discuss the strategies used by LACHP to influence policies and standards for children in FM programs
Keywords: Children With Special Needs, Medicaid Managed Care
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: L.A. Care Health Plan
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Employment