HEALTH POLICY
STATE BASED STRATEGIES
New! Improving Care Coordination, Case Management, and Linkages to Service for Young Children: Opportunities for States 
This report discusses the various strategies states can use, and the roles states can play, to facilitate and support improved linkages between primary care providers and other child and family service providers to promote and support the healthy development of young children. It provides key questions for reviewing state policies and financing strategies that support cross-system linkages and suggests areas for action within each of the state’s fiscal and administrative support roles.
Supported by the Comonwealth Fund and authored by Kay Johnson and Jill Rosenthal
The Role of State Health Policy in the Multi-Sector System and Service Linkage for Young Children
With funding from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, the National Academy for State Health Policy (NASHP) conducted an exploratory study of the role of state health policy in linking the health sector with other services that support young children’s health and development. The purpose of the project was to promote the role of state health policy in efforts to assure cross-sector service linkages for young children and their families, with the ultimate goal of better addressing the comprehensive needs of young children as they grow and develop. NASHP identified and examined policies in 12 leading states. These states identified a number of success factors, barriers, and opportunities gleaned from their experiences implementing policies to promote the health sector as a key component of multi-sector service linkages for children.
Starting Strong: Strengthening Ohio's Health Care System for Children Ages Birth to Six
Studies show that investments in young children and their families, including preventive health care, can make a significant impact on child well being. This paper outlines options for Ohio to build on the child health care system to ensure that every Ohio child gets a fair and healthy start, and enters school ready to succeed.
The Role of States in Improving Health and Health Care for Young Children
States are uniquely positioned to make significant improvements in the quality of health and health care for young children due to their roles as administrators of Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program, as well as mental health, public health and education programs. This Commonwealth Fund issue brief focuses on promising solutions for states addressing fiscal and administrative challenges.
Overview on Medicaid and the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 
The Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 (DRA) changes to Medicaid affect health access and coverage for children from birth to age five. State policymakers and family advocates working to develop and implement Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems (ECCS) plans need to wisely use resources to ensure a positive impact from the DRA on young children. This National Center for Children in Poverty Project THRIVE PowerPoint presentation highlights opportunities and challenges for states.
PREVENTIVE CARE
A High Performing System for Well Child Care: A Vision for the Future
Standardization of well-child services is intended to ensure that families receive core services and key information. This Commonwealth Fund report presents a vision of a high performing system of well-child care and a guide for future policy and research efforts.
Quality of Preventive Heath Care for Young Children: Strategies for Improvement
Policy makers increasingly understand the importance of children's early years for promoting health, learning and school readiness. This Commonwealth Fund report reviews recommendations to improve the quality of early childhood health.
SCREENING PROGRAMS
Setting the Stage for Success: Implementation of Developmental and Behavioral Screening and Surveillance
in Primary Care Practice - The North Carolina Assuring Better Child Health and Development Project
Early identification of children with developmental and behavioral delays is important in primary care practice; well-child visits provide an ideal opportunity to engage parents and perform periodic screenings. In the North Carolina Assuring Better Child Health and Development project, careful attention to and training for office process has resulted in a significant increase in screening rates.
Snapshots: Incorporating Comprehensive Developmental Screening into Programs and Services for Young Children
Snapshots is a best-practice brief published by the Ounce of Prevention Fund focused on incorporating comprehensive developmental screening, including social emotional screening, into programs and services for children birth to five.
Maximizing the Use of EPSDT to Improve the Health and Development of Young Children
This Project THRIVE brief from the National Center for Children in Poverty describes the Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment (EPSDT) program of Medicaid with a focus on young children ages birth to five.
RESOURCES
Zero to Three Policy Center/Policy Network 
The Zero to Three Policy Center is a research-based, non-partisan program that brings the voice of babies and toddlers to public policy to promote good health, strong families and positive learning experiences. The Zero to Three Policy Network is a vehicle for professionals to use their knowledge and expertise to impact public policy so that all babies have good health, strong families and positive learning experiences.
