IDPH Title V Program

Through the creation the MCH Family Council, with seven regional groups, OWHFS ensures the intentional practice of working with families across the life course towards positive health outcomes. The establishment of this council provides a space for consumer and family leadership at individual, community, and policy levels. EverThrive Illinois has been contracted to recruit, organize, and guide the MCH Family Council, as well as communicating council recommendations to the Title V program. As of September 2017, members of the MCH Family Council have been recruited in all seven public health regions in Illinois.

MCH Family Council members have been recruited through regional public health offices, referrals from local health departments, and social service programs, such as Healthy Start and WIC. During FY18, there were a total of 36 individuals across the state participating on the MCH Family Council. EverThrive Illinois has taken steps to remove barriers to MCH Family Council participation and to compensate members for their time and the valuable input they provide. MCH Family Council members receive a $30 consulting fee per quarterly meeting. The meetings also provide food and transportation, as necessary. Participants can bring their children to the meetings and meetings are intentionally scheduled at locations with child‐friendly areas, so the mothers can both participate and keep an eye on their children playing.

The purpose of the MCH Family Council is to provide feedback and recommendations related to Illinois’ MCH programming and perspective on critical consumer issues covering health across the lifespan. The initial meetings of three regional councils have generated a feedback and recommendations to the Title V program covering topics such as: open enrollment, Medicaid Managed Care, Immunizations, the opioid epidemic, and perinatal regionalization (levels of care for birthing hospitals). The councils’ recommendations and recurrent themes will be considered in the development and implementation of the strategies outlined in the state action plan. During FY18, MCH Family Council members were also provided a professional development opportunity of storytelling at the Illinois Women and Families Health Conference.

CYSHCN

Families served through UIC-DSCC’s Core and Home Care programs are engaged in and supported through the care coordination process. Families are assisted in becoming their own best advocates for health care, health insurance, education, and other community resources.

The Family Advisory Council is the primary structure for family engagement in the CYSHCN program. At full membership, the council has representation from each UIC-DSCC Region. The FAC is actively engaged in developing and interpreting the family survey conducted for the Block Grant needs assessment.

UIC-DSCC employs two (one full-time and one half-time) Family Liaison Specialists. They, along with regional staff, participate in numerous outreach and provider education events, provide staff support for the Family Advisory Council, and organizes UIC-DSCC’s annual Institute for Parents of Preschool-aged Children who are Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing.

UIC-DSCC has a family-friendly website that includes information about UIC-DSCC services, upcoming events, news, and information about medical homes, adolescent transition, family partnership, and other aspects of services for CYSHCN. UIC-DSCC also has a presence on Facebook to promote events of interest to families and to provide information on medical homes and adolescent transition. UIC-DSCC operates a toll-free telephone line, 1-800-322-3722 (800-322-DSCC).