Innovative Approaches and Polk County Health and Human Services are working to improve the service systems for children and youth with special healthcare needs from birth to 21. The program defines children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN) as children with a condition expected to last longer than 12 months and who require more care than is usual for most children of the same age.
Innovative Approaches is partnering with parents and organizations in the community to lead this initiative. Parent Advisory Council Role/Function
The Innovative Approaches Parent Advisory Council (PAC) is a diverse group of parents and guardians of children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN). The PAC is committed to advocating and educating other families, government agencies, and healthcare professionals on issues that affect CYSHCN. Parents decide on the topics to be discussed, the length of the meeting, and other important items related to the council. Mission Statement
The PAC comprises parents and caregivers of children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN). They bring issues that impact their lives with recommendations to Innovative Approaches, local leaders and decision-makers to ensure equal opportunity for all families with CYSHCN in Polk County. Purpose
• The PAC will bring issues that impact the lives of families with CYSHCN with appropriate recommendations to local leaders and decision makers.
• The PAC will also have a teaching responsibility to the families they represent, service agencies, and the professionals who serve CYSHCN.
• This collaborative relationship will increase the ability of parents and families to initiate change. Goals
• Provide a vital link between families of CYSHCN and available services.
• Provide input and feedback to appropriate agencies on how services are delivered to CYSHCN
• and their families.
• Promote family access to and utilization of various support groups.
• Educate service providers concerning the changing needs of families that have CYSHCN
• Educate families about current healthcare issues.
“This initiative is supported through the NC Division of Child and Family Well-Being, Whole Child Health Section.”
