This notice announces the opportunity to apply for funding under the National Center for a System of Services for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (National Center). The purpose of this program is to advance the system of services for children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN) by supporting the implementation of the Blueprint for Change: Guiding Principles for a System of Services for Children and Youth With Special Health Care Needs1 (Blueprint for Change), a national agenda to improve health and well-being for CYSHCN and their families. This program will assist Title V programs and other key stakeholders who serve CYSHCN and their families by implementing strategies in four critical areas: health equity, CYSHCN and family well-being and quality of life, access to services, and financing of services.2
The National Center will support implementation of the Blueprint for Change by providing national coordination and leadership in two overarching activities:
3) Developing a Blueprint Implementation Roadmap that identifies actionable steps at the research, policy, and practice level for sectors serving CYSHCN and their families to implement the principles and strategies in the Blueprint for Change.
4) Assisting states, communities, and other stakeholders to implement the Blueprint Implementation Roadmap.
These two activities will be accomplished by conducting policy/practice assessment and analysis; supporting partnership building; developing and conducting training; providing technical assistance (TA) and education; developing and disseminating resources and materials to support Blueprint for Change implementation; and conducting a program evaluation.
The National Center’s key activities are divided into two phases:
• Phase 1- Exploration, Roadmap Development, and Pilot Testing: Phase 1 will take place in years 1 - 2. It will encompass an assessment and analysis of system level gaps and emerging needs to develop and actively test the Blueprint Implementation Roadmap that will help guide the implementation of Blueprint for Change principles and strategies at the community, state, and national levels.
• Phase 2 - Implementation: Phase 2 will take place in years 3, 4, and 5. It will focus on assisting states, communities and other key stakeholders in implementing the Blueprint Implementation Roadmap and innovations tested in Phase 1.
Specific activities outlined in the phases can be found in the Program Requirements and Expectations section.
