Internship summarySpecial Medical Services (SMS) is the Title V Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs agency in New Hampshire. SMS provides services to families for children (under the age of 21) with special health care needs (CSHCN). CSHCN are those children who have or are at increased risk for chronic physical, developmental, behavioral and emotional issues that may impact the child’s day-to-day life. CSHCN are eligible regardless of income. CSHCN generally have conditions that last for a year or more, such as: cerebral palsy, diabetes, metabolic disorders, genetic or congenital problems, seizure disorders and other conditions. Financial eligibility is based on established income guidelines.
SMS provides services from care coordinators (nurses and social workers), pediatricians, nutritionists, physical therapists, orthopedists, psychologists, parent professionals, support staff, and others. Services include community-based care coordination to assist with a family-centered plan of care. A team approach is utilized to develop an ongoing plan of care based on a thorough assessment of the child’s health status and developmental needs. Our work is family centered and individualized and every attempt is made to find the needed resources. SMS also provides specialty team clinics (related to child development and neuromotor conditions), psychology consultation services and nutrition and feeding & swallowing services. Financial assistance may be available for health issues related to the chronic condition.
The intern will work within SMS to assist in the development of a program evaluation framework for the next 5 years that will be responsive to our Block Grant Performance Measures and the 2010 completed Needs Assessment.
The intern will work collaboratively with SMS program staff and NH Family Voices staff (contracted). There will also be consultation available as needed with the Title V Epidemiologist - David Laflamme, Ph.D., M.P.H., Epidemiologist (NH MCHS) and Research Assistant Professor (UNH)
|
PurposeThe goal is to facilitate a collaborative relationship between the intern and SMS mentor. This relationship will serve to offer the student experiences that would help to further develop his or her skills and knowledge of children with special health care needs, family-centered care and program evaluation. Additionally, it will serve to infuse SMS activities with objective insight and best practices related to program evaluation. |
Data or analytic tasks and activities involved1. Review and evaluation of the guidance for MCHB Block Grant Performance Measures and the 2010 Needs
2. Determine if current source data adequately represents state demographics and program recipients including race/ethnicity and age through cross comparison with available data sets such as census and program enrollment data.
3. Comprehensive review of literature related to program evaluation tools/frameworks
4. Identification of program evaluation framework that most effectively meets the needs of Special Medical Services to include the creation of a SMS specific guideline that identifies activities and timelines, which may as needed utilize logic models, Gantt charts, and logarithms.
|
