Article Identifies CSHCN Programs’ Steps and Processes to Achieve Culturally and Linguistically Competent Policies

"Achieving cultural and linguistic competence is . . . a long journey. .
. . Based on this query of CSHCN [children with special health care
needs] programs, it is apparent that states are at various points along
that journey," write the authors of an article published in the
September 9, 2008, issue of the Maternal and Child Health Journal. The
need for culturally and linguistically competent health and mental
health systems has recently been reaffirmed by the highest levels of
U.S. government, the National Academy of Science, independent
commissions, and professional associations and accreditation
organizations. Addressing the cultural and linguistic needs of the U.S.
population is challenging because of the population's increasing
diversity. This descriptive study was intended to identify actual action
steps and processes of CSHCN programs to develop, implement, sustain,
and assess culturally and linguistically competent policies, structures,
and practices.

The authors used two products provided by the National Center for
Cultural Competence (NCCC) for programs serving children and youth with
special health care needs and their families to support their progress
in the areas of cultural and linguistic competence. Respondents were
asked to report on whether their programs engaged in activities related
to (1) the processes delineated by the NCCC as steps toward
organizational change to implement cultural and linguistic competence
and (2) service system actions at the organizational level that
reflected the NCCC model for achieving organizational cultural and
linguistic competence. Forty-two state and territorial Title V CSHCN
directors participated in the study.

The authors found that

* Most programs (78%) did not have a cultural competence committee or
task group with representatives from policymaking, administration,
practice/service delivery, and consumer levels.

* Most programs (76%) reported that their mission, vision, and/or
principle statement commits to cultural competence.

* Most programs (63.4%) had a mechanism in place to track and document
community demographics and service access and utilization of its
constituent populations.

* Most programs (58.5%) indicated that their agencies had not completed
a comprehensive cultural competence agency self-assessment.

* Most programs (72.5%) indicated that representatives of the
service-delivery system made adaptations to ensure culturally and
linguistically competent service delivery.

* Slight over half of the programs (51.2%) indicated that the service
delivery system had a policy for ensuring that their staff, contractors,
and family consultants were representative of the culturally,
linguistically, racially, and ethnically diverse groups within the
geographic locations served by the programs.

* Most programs (80.5%) indicated that their service delivery system had
policies and dedicated resources for interpretation and translation
services.

* Most programs (65.9%) indicated that representatives of the service
delivery system conducted outreach activities within culturally,
linguistically, racially, and ethnically diverse communities.

The authors conclude that "while many programs are taking isolated
actions in response to population needs, the difficult work of deep
organizational change that will lead to changes in policy and
infrastructure is not wide-spread."

Telfair J, Bronheim S, Harrison S. 2008. Implementation of culturally
and linguistically competent policies by state Title V Children with
Special Health Care Needs (CSHCN) Programs. Maternal and Child Health
Journal [published online ahead of print on September 19, 2008].
Abstract available at
http://www.springerlink.com/content/0113111122815522/?p=aec570c6c2654899b880eb65aa358eae&pi=0

Readers: More information is available from the following MCH Library
resources:

- Children and Adolescents with Special Health Care Needs: Knowledge Path at
http://www.mchlibrary.info/KnowledgePaths/kp_CSHCN.html

- Culturally Competent Services: Resource Brief at
http://www.mchlibrary.info/guides/culturalcompetence.html

Call for Papers for The 4th International Conference on Patient- and Family-Centered Care

Deadline: September 28, 2008.

The 4th International Conference will be held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, August 27-30, 2009.
The 4th International Conference will showcase innovative health care programs that are committed to patient- and family-centered care and meaningful collaboration with patients and families. Priority consideration will be given to presentation teams that include health care professionals and patient/family leaders.

The Institute strongly encourages creative and innovative ways of presenting material. Abstracts will be accepted for presentations, videos, and posters. One of the highlights of The 3rd International Conference held in Seattle, WA was the well-attended video theatre. We hope you will consider submitting your organization’s patient- and family-centered informational and educational videos, as well as any orientation and training material that highlight patient- and family-centered best practices.
Submission Guidelines: Abstracts must be submitted online by September 28, 2008. Read Submission Guidelines

Authors will be notified in January 2009 regarding abstract status.

Read More About the Call for Papers
Start the Abstract Submission Process
Read About Our Conferences
Read About Conference Exhibitor and Sponsorship Opportunities

Association on University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) Now Accepting Applications for the 2009 Disability Policy Fellowship

Deadline: September 29, 2008

Purpose

The overall purpose of the Fellowship in Disability Policy is to offer a significant experience in national level activities related to policy and legislative development, advocacy, program development, technical assistance, and association administration.

• The Fellowship in Disability Policy is envisioned as a mutually beneficial arrangement whereby the participating individual, the home UCEDD/LEND/IDDRC program, and the AUCD central office benefits.
• The individual will benefit from the experiences and contacts developed during the fellowship period.
• The program will benefit from having "one of its own" participating in national level activities and subsequently informing home UCEDD/LEND/IDDRC staff of their activities and knowledge gained.
• AUCD will benefit from having increased human resources to assist in carrying out its work and have a person on staff with local and state perspectives in the AUCD network.

Eligible Applicants

Staff working for at least 2-5 years at a UCEDD, LEND Program or IDDRC in a management, faculty, research, or clinical position who are US citizens, or graduate trainees who are completing their training program. Persons with disabilities or family members and persons from culturally diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Fellowship Responsibilities

The fellowship program will be jointly developed between the fellow and central office staff based on the current and expected workload of the central office, upcoming policy issues before Congress and Executive Branch Agencies, and the interests and experience of the fellow.

Length of time

The fellowship could last from 9 to 12 months. At minimum, an academic year time period (9 months) is preferred. Shorter length fellowships will only be considered when a particular project or issue of short duration is available.

Salary

Fellow will receive current salary plus costs for travel and relocation to Washington DC. Cost of living differentials between Washington DC area and home community may be considered in negotiating the fellowship stipend. Housing and per diem expenses while in Washington will be the responsibility of the fellow.

Application deadline and start dates

For application instructions, click here

Applications are due September 29, 2008 but will continue to be accepted until the position is filled. The fellowship is expected to begin in early 2009.

Additional information

For additional information, please contact George Jesien or Kim Musheno.

Interested applicants may also contact Tammie Picklesimer, the current policy fellow for additional information.

The Arc of Illinois Family to Family Health Information and Education Center is sponsoring "Sharing the Care"a Meeting for Families of Children and Youth with Disabilities or Chronic Illnesses, September 16, 2008, 9:30am-3:00pm CT

The meeting will be held at:

Shriners Hospital for Children
2211 N. Oak Park Avenue Chicago, IL 60707

Learn more about:

* DHS/DRS Home ServicesInclusive Child Care *Special Recreation and Park District Programs
*After-school Programs*Respite Care*other options
Program
Call 708-206-1930 to register, fax to 708-206-1171 or register online at www.thearcofil.org/familytofamily

The Center to Advance Palliative Care (CAPC) and the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM) Audioconference, " "Billing and Coding for Palliative Care Consultations: Getting Paid for What You Do", September 17, 2008, 1:30-2:30 PM ET

The Center to Advance Palliative Care (CAPC) and the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine (AAHPM) are pleased to offer an audio conference on "Billing and Coding for Palliative Care Consultations: Getting Paid for What You Do." Physicians, nurses, social workers, financial managers, administrators, billing coordinators, and medical directors of palliative care programs are invited to participate.

This audio conference will review the common reasons for CMS application errors, provide recommendations to minimize denials, and supply concrete strategies to simplify appeals. A review of Part B billing for hospital consults will also be presented. Participants will learn an overview of billing rules to help avoid future problems; common reasons for payment denials; strategic approaches to reducing denials; best practices for palliative care team new hires and staff credentialing in order to minimize denials, and strategies for regular audit and QI activities to improve revenues from billing and appeals.

Featured speakers include Lynn Hill Spragens, president and ceo, Spragens & Associates, LLC and Julie Pipke, reimbursement manager of medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin.

Save-the-Date for Opening Doors: A State of the Science Conference, November 10-11, 2008, in Bethesda, MD

Opening Doors: A State of the Science Conference is sponsored by Children's Hospital, Boston and the ICI of UMass Boston, co-sponsored by the National Center of Medical Home Initiatives for Children with Special Needs
This conference will focus on accessing services for children and youth with disablities and special health care needs from underserved communities. For more information, please view the save-the-date invitation or contact Berenise Reyes-Albino at berenise.albino@umb.edu or 617-287-4314.

9th Annual Chronic Illness and Disability: Transition from Pediatric to Adult-Based Care Conference, November 13-14, 2008, Houston, TX

Save-the-Date for the First World Congress of Spina Bifida Research and Care, March 15-18, 2009, Orlando, FL

The Spina Bifida Association (SBA) is pleased to announce the First World Congress of Spina Bifida Research and Care. This meeting promises to be the premier forum for a unique gathering of International Spina Bifida researchers and care specialists.

International leaders in the medical and scientific community from the fields of neurosurgery, neurology, urology, orthopaedics, epidemiology, neuropsychology, and other specialties will come together to discuss the future of care for this challenging and complex birth defect. Don't miss your chance to be a part of this amazing event... the future is now.

Name of Event:   First World Congress on Spina Bifida Research and Care.

Location:   Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort. Orlando, Florida.

Date:   March 15-18, 2009

Abstracts are currently being accepted

Contact:  Robin Austin

Phone:    202-944-3285  ext 29

Web link:  http://medicalconference.spinabifidaassociation.org.  

View Save-the-Date.