A1 - An Integrated and Institutional Approach to Engaging Families Across MCH Population Domains

The typed transcription of this session can be found HERE

Full Description: This informative presentation will describe an innovative approach to build from past experiences and position the state to address the needs of families and consumers across all MCH populations. Throughout this session, participants will learn about the development of the Family and Consumer Partnership (FCP) program in Kansas and the efforts to expand engagement opportunities through peer supports, advisory opportunities, leadership development, and technical assistance.
The foundation of the Kansas Title V program is represented through a set of core values and guiding principles that promote a strong culture of continuous quality improvement, innovation and growth, and a sustained focus on what matters. This is represented in a priority to assure “Strengths‐based supports and services are available to promote healthy families and relationships.” One guiding principle, Consumer Engagement, is rooted in a belief that we must obtain buy-in from those directly affected by systemic changes and assuring the consumer and family voice is central to programming, initiatives, and special projects.
The session will provide a brief history of the Family Advisory Council (FAC) and describe the journey to inform Title V plans, programs, and policies for populations through engagement of families beyond the children and youth with special health care needs population. The FAC evolved over a decade from a focus solely on families of CSHCN, to other programming focused on identifying delays or providing special health services (e.g., Title V, Part C/Early Intervention, Newborn Screening). Even in the midst of a public health pandemic FAC members dedicated themselves to assisting Title V to expand the Council to five work groups (Women/Maternal, Early Childhood, Children, Adolescents, CSHCN) and shape the future of family and consumer partnership in KS.
In addition to practical information about the organization, logistics, and policies established to provide support for the expanded FAC, participants will also learn how the FAC has built the FCP program, specifically highlighting key activities and engagement opportunities within each of the core components that make up the FCP Program, including Supporting You: A Peer-to-Peer Support Network developed by FAC members, the AMCHP Family Delegate Leadership Program, and the Alumni, Mentorship, and Policy Team.
This session will share the process Kansas engaged in to expand the work on family and consumer partnership and engagement outside of CSHCN populations, which continues to be identified as a key challenge among peers. This session will describe the critical partnership with families to make this dream a reality. Alignment across many family engagement models and frameworks have provided the foundation to support sustainability of these initiatives, an institutional approach to family engagement, and opportunity for continued growth through local and state partnerships.

Abbreviated Description: Learn about efforts to expand family and consumer engagement opportunities through peer supports, advisory opportunities, and leadership development. Follow the Kansas journey to inform Title V plans, programs, and policies for populations through engagement beyond the children and youth with special health care needs population and shape the future of family and consumer partnership in KS. Participants will learn about: (1) the expanded Family Advisory Council from one to all MCH population domains; (2) the peer support network developed by families; (3) expanded family leadership opportunities; and (4) the institutional approach established to allow for growth and sustainability.