ABCD Activities

As providers conduct more screening and identify more children in need of follow-up services, the weakness of the U.S. child-serving systems and inadequacy of linkages among providers becomes increasingly apparent.* It is clear that more must be done to improve referrals and assure access to services essential as follow up to screening. Promising approaches for improving follow up and strengthening linkages are underway at the practice, community, and state levels. Many such projects and initiatives aim to help families benefit from screening and surveillance in pediatric primary care by connecting them and their children to services and supports they needs.
 
ABCD states found that improving linkages between primary care providers and other child and family and service providers is critical to promoting healthy development for children. The ABCD III initiative is focusing attention on models that will improving linkages to promote child development as the result of screenings. The collaborative will help state agencies, especially Medicaid agencies, in developing more effective referral pathways between pediatric primary care practices and community intervention and support agencies to promote the healthy development of young children.
 
Building on previous ABCD efforts, these projects will seek to identify existing assessment and treatment resources, remove policy barriers to accessing those services, and facilitate referrals to these resources. States play an important role in removing barriers and providing support as communities move toward more integrated services. This section focuses on resources designed to assist states working to address the health and developmental needs of children and families.
 
*Johnson K and Rosenthal J, Improving Care Coordination, Case Management, and Linkages to Service for Young Children: Opportunities for States. (Portland, ME: The National Academy for State Health Policy, April 2009).