Washington Chapter-American Academy Of Pediatrics

ADVOCATING FOR CHILDREN, ADOLESCENTS, FAMILIES, AND ALL WHO CARE FOR KIDS

CHAMPIONS FOR YOUTH - AS A COMPONENT OF THE WASHINGTON CHILD HEALTH IMPROVEMENT PARNERSHIP (WA-CHIP), CHAMPIONS FOR YOUTH WORKS TO ENSURE PRIMARY CARE, STATE AGENCIES, AND SCHOOL PARTNERSHIPS ADVANCE THE WELL-BEING OF SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS FROM KINDERGARTEN THROUGH THE TWELFTH GRADE. THE CLINICAL FOCUS OF THE PROGRAM INCLUDES INCREASING CHILD AND ADOLESCENT IMMUNIZATIONS, WHILE CURRENT COMMUNITY EDUCATION EFFORTS INCLUDE INCREASING FAMILY CONFIDENCE IN THE COVID-19 VACCINE AND RAPID BEHAVIORAL HEALTH EDUCATION FOR PRIMARY CARE PROVIDERS.

FIRST YEAR FAMILIES - AS A COMPONENT OF WA-CHIP FIRST YEAR FAMILIES WORKS TO ADVANCE FAMILY WELL-BEING AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT IN THE FIRST FIVE YEARS OF LIFE. THE CURRENT CLINICAL FOCUS OF THE PROGRAM INCLUDES WORK ON PERINATAL MOOD DISORDERS AND DEVELOPMENTAL SCREENING & EARLY INTERVENTION.

ADVOCACY - WCAAP WORKS TO ADVOCATE FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES. IN 2021 SUCH EFFORTS WORKED TO: RAISE THE MEDICAID RATE TO PARITY WITH MEDICARE FOR PEDIATRIC CARE, EXTEND POSTPARTUM MEDICAID COVERAGE TO ONE YEAR, ADVANCE ACCESS TO INFANT MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ON APPLE HEALTH, INCREASE MEDICAID COUNSELING RATES FOR KIDS, INCREASE CAPACITY FOR PARTIAL HOSPITALIZATION/INTENSIVE OUTPATIENT PILOT PROGRAMS, SECURE AUDIO-ONLY TELEHEALTH COVERAGE, SECURE FIXES TO TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES, AND PASS THE WORKING FAMILY TAX CREDIT.

MEMBERSHIP AND OTHER - AS A PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP ORGANIZATION WCAAP ASSESSES MEMBERSHIP DUES WHICH OFFER ITS MEMBERS A VARIETY OF BENEFITS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. IN ADDITION, TO THOSE PROGRAMS PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED, OTHER PROGRAMS LED BY WCAAP IN 2021 INCLUDE: BEHAVIORAL HEALTH INTEGRATION, CAPACITY BUILDING, GREAT MINDS, ORAL HEALTH, PROJECT FIRST LINE, A VACCINE COLLABORATIVE & HESITANCY PROJECT, AND VROOM.