Hello PedsProVT Community,
As the school year comes to an end, I hope you take time this summer to relax, recharge, and refresh after a busy year so you can return in the fall feeling rested and ready for new opportunities ahead.
This month, I would like to dedicate this space to sharing resources on advocacy and intervention services available throughout the state of Vermont. Please feel free to share these resources with the co-workers and families you support.
The Inclusive Healthcare Partnership Project https://www.ihppvt.org/ is a collaborative program that brings together:
- Healthcare providers (hospitals, clinics)
- Community organizations
- Public health agencies
- Sometimes universities or nonprofits
Main goal
To reduce health disparities and ensure that everyone regardless of race, income, disability, gender identity, language, or location can access quality care.
Key focus areas
- Access to care
- Expanding services for people who face barriers (e.g., rural communities, uninsured patients, immigrants)
- Culturally competent care
- Training providers to understand and respect different cultural, linguistic, and social needs
- Health equity
- Identifying and addressing gaps in outcomes (like higher disease rates in certain groups)
- Community engagement
- Working directly with local communities to design solutions that actually fit their needs
- Integrated services
- Coordinating physical health, mental health, and social services (like housing or food support)
Some activities include:
- Mobile clinics in underserved areas
- Translation and interpretation services
- Outreach programs for preventive care (vaccines, screenings)
- Training staff on bias and inclusive practices
- Partnerships with local nonprofits for wraparound support
Why it matters
Healthcare systems often unintentionally leave some groups behind. Projects like this aim to close those gaps, improve outcomes, and build trust between providers and communities.
Another new resource that I am excited to share was developed by Children with Special Health Needs. As we know, Vermont’s system of care can be challenging to navigate as a provider or family member. Children with Special Health Needs have recently developed a statewide resource for clinicians and families. The link below provides an interactive CSHN GIS Resource Map that includes content categories such as autism, care coordination, designated agencies, education, medical, organizations, planning for adulthood, resources by county, and statewide resources. To simplify it, they have created a digital guide that helps you quickly find CSHN-related resources in an easy-to-understand, accessible format. A feature that I love is that it allows a family to open to the patient portal or email the provider.
Please check out the CSHN GIS Resource Map! If you need accessibility resources to navigate the map, contact with questions at AHS.VDHCSHN@vermont.gov.
Feel free to post or share the flyer that is attached!
As we come to the close of another school year, I look forward to our continued collaboration, sharing valuable resources, and maintaining a supportive space for connection. In preparation for planning for next year, I have developed a quick survey to gather information to best support the needs of our group. I appreciate and value your input. Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey.
https://qualtrics.uvm.edu/jfe/form/SV_0cg3ySYudxTimSq
Be Well,
Catherine
Upcoming Trainings:
ATIA will host this free live webinar on Tuesday, June 9 from 4-5 pm ET, introducing key CITES resources that support inclusive technology planning, implementation, and systems change, with a focus on how district leaders, including AT professionals, can use them in practice. IACET CEUs available!
Webinar hosted by ATIA, presenting Megan Stumpf on the importance of building community through AAC caregiver support. This presentation explores the vital role that caregiver support groups play in enhancing family engagement for children using speech-generating devices. It highlights how Speech-Language Pathologists facilitate these groups by providing expertise, resources, and a collaborative space for caregivers to share experiences and develop effective communication strategies.
Cost: $45
This course is offered for the following CE Provider Credits:
ACVREP; AOTA; CRC; IACET
For: 0.10 CEU Units or 1.0 CEU Hours
- Pediatrics Open Science is a website that provides open access to pediatric research findings. Their goal is to improve the health of children and families by making pediatric research findings and perspectives accessible worldwide.