Children's services in an era of budget deficits

Article Abstract:

The budget is tight. An infant is delivered in stress, and a warning is issued over the public address system. Instantly, the survival of that mother and child are paramount. This same child is now six-years-old, poor, and in need of medical care. What he needs cost money, money that his family does not have. The family has no health insurance, the child receives no care. The same child is now a victim of the system; unserved, uninsured and at risk for graver consequences. Most don't see the situation, it is in the inner-city. The racism and classicism of our society tolerates this continuing paradox. The family in dire fiscal straits does not have many alternatives. Poverty demands choices; priorities are invoked, and health does not rank first. Government funds may be available, but unreachable. Resources are wasted. How does one encourage change in how this system operates? The Center for Family Life (CFL), located in a low-income section of New York City, is a good example. Supported by a mix of private and public funds, the CFL meets families' needs. They may request and receive health care advice for a child, and at the same time be made aware of myriad other services that they may use. Services are offered! These groups are considered 'families'; not drug-using families, or minority families, or single-parent families. There are many similar, small programs; unfortunately their availability is masked by the overwhelming size and maze of public facilities, which are often the first place where poor families seek care. Another program heralding change in New York is called Agenda for Children Tomorrow (ACT). Originating with private funds, this effort is gaining government encouragement and support to go ahead with its plans for combined neighborhood, community, and ultimately city-wide programs of coordinated care. The Low Income Opportunity Control Board, established in 1987, now known as the Economic Empowerment Task Force is another example of designing model programs for social services. Multidisciplinary and cross-agency programs are the future, if success is to be achieved in providing care for needy children and their families. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Health aspects, Economic aspects, Poverty, Health planning, Family, Poor children, Family health

---

Improving health care for underserved infants, children and adolescents: the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's experience

Article Abstract:

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJ) has had the health of the young among its highest priorities since its inception in 1972. Child health activities have received substantial support from RWJ, amounting to 22 percent of funded program dollars. As part of its goal to increase access to care, especially prenatal care, RWJ funded the Perinatal Program from 1975 to 1980. This program was designed to demonstrate the feasibility of regionalized perinatal services, and to measure the impact of this approach on infant morbidity (illness) and mortality. The effect was a reduction of neonatal (newborn) mortality in the 8 test areas by an average of 20 percent. From 1980 to 1985, the Rural Infant Care Program extended the regionalized approach to high mortality rural areas, with similar results. The Healthy Futures program, planned for 1988 to 1992, is intended to encourage the adoption of past successful efforts by ongoing health care systems. The RWJ programs are conducted in areas of greatest need. In addition to these large demonstration programs, smaller, single-site efforts do not go unsupported. These areas include injury prevention, nutrition, lead poisoning, and hunger reduction. The success of the RWJ activities encourages the development of new programs with broader impact, such as improving the prognoses of low-birth-weight babies. Application of the intervention aspects of the program have showed significant positive outcomes (results). The foundation programs are not limited to children; pregnant mothers and their newborns derived benefits from a visiting nurse and teacher program designed to support them. The RWF seeks to encourage other funding sources and governments, on both local and national levels, to join in their efforts of improving the future prospects of all children. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Reports, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Maternal health services

---

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Children in and of the streets: health, social policy and the homeless young. Health and social conditions of street children in Honduras
• Abstracts: The challenge of care for the poor and underserved in the United States: an American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists perspective on access to care for underserved women
• Abstracts: Sudden cardiac death in young athletes: a review. Family history fails to identify many children with severe hypercholesterolemia

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.