Florida CMS Learning and Action Network

By building the quality improvement (QI) capacity of specialty programs, this Learning and Action Network will grow and support a high-quality system of care in Florida that serves all children and youth with special healthcare needs (CYSHCN), regardless of insurance status and location.

Status: Active
January 2019 to June 2025

Enhancing provision of and access to care for CYSHCN with medical complexity

NICHQ in collaboration with the Florida Department of Health lead a Learning and Action Network (LAN) for Children’s Medical Services to build the quality improvement (QI) capacity of specialty programs to grow and support a high-quality system of care in Florida that serves all children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN), regardless of insurance status and location. NICHQ will guide improvement teams to build their QI capacity to improve care delivery and patient outcomes for children and youth served. The structured approach of the LAN will promote peer learning and accelerate progress toward improvement in provision of care.

NICHQ will facilitate LAN goals through teaching and supporting the application of the Model for Improvement. Seven specialty Statewide Networks for Access and Quality will participate in the LAN and carry out QI projects at their local institutions.

Who

NICHQ is partnering with Florida Department of Health to support seven specific Statewide Networks for Access and Quality (SNAQs): kidney failure; craniofacial/cleft lip and palate; diabetes; hematology/oncology; HIV/AIDS; pulmonary; and behavioral health. These seven networks represent 30+ institutions across Florida.

Our Role

NICHQ leads the Learning and Action Network (LAN) and facilitates LAN goals through teaching and supporting the application of the Model for Improvement to increase quality improvement capacity of participating teams.

Funder

The project is funded by the State of Florida Department of Health

Project Impact

Building the quality improvement capacity of specialty programs for Florida’s children

reduction in severe maternal morbidity from hemorrhage among Black women
(Louisiana PQC, 2018-2020)
people involved in something
exciting things in progress

Project Impact

Building the quality improvement capacity of specialty programs for Florida’s children

NICHQ leads the Florida (FL) Children’s Medical Services (CMS) Learning and Action Network (LAN) to build quality improvement (QI) capacity of regional programs for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN). Of the 4.2 million children in FL, about 19.6% or roughly 820,000 are CYSHCN. Thirty-two project teams create partnerships between families of CYSHCN and facilities serving CYSHCN, regardless of insurance status and location, and focus efforts on improving social determinants in the communities in which they live. Through the FL CMS LAN, NICHQ developed a family partner engagement roadmap, led QI trainings for 25 FL Department of Health Staff, led 9 Statewide and Regional Networks for Access and Quality (SNAQs & RNAQs), and engaged with 17 family patient partners.

External Resources

State Perinatal Quality Collaboratives

List of PQCs funded by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Visit the Site

The Power of PQCs

Video showing the impact that PQCs have on the communities they serve. Produced by the NNPQC.

Watch the Video

PQCs in the News

Articles in news outlets covering state PQCs, their activities, and the people that work in the collaboratives.

Visit the Site

Patient Safety Bundles

From the Alliance for Innovation on Maternal Health. PSBs are collections of evidence-informed best practices that address clinically specific conditions in pregnant and postpartum people. The NNPQC helps provide TA and support to PQCs in adopting the core AIM Perinatal Mental Health Bundle.

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Perinatal Quality Collaboratives

The CDC’s landing page for PQCs, including helpful infographics, videos, and links to help explain what PQCs are, how they work, and stories, learnings, and publications that have come out of the state PQCs.

Watch the Video

Related Content

Resources produced by the Florida CMS Learning and Action Network project or on related topics

Meet Our Team

Sandra Widland, MPH

Project Director

Eliza Williamson

Associate Project Director

Kelly Edwards, MPH

Senior Project Manager

Beverly Reyes

Project Manager

Sue Butts-Dion

Improvement Advisor