A Foundation Perspective on Community Access to Child Health Program

Abstract

The emergence of Community Pediatrics as a significant domain of interest and attention within the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has been encouraged in part by the grant-making strategies pursued by The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF). Since its establishment as a national philanthropy in 1972, the Foundation has maintained an abiding commitment to the protection and advancement of the health of America's children. From the outset, however, the RWJF has recognized that if it is to make the most of its role as a source of private investment capital, it must apply its funds thoughtfully and strategically. Thus, in child health and in other areas, its grant-making activities are crafted proactively and are governed by a range of strategies. The Foundation's broadest strategy is to invest in initiatives seeking to generate improvements in entire systems. The work force infrastructure of public health systems is an example. Initiatives specific to child health systems include demonstrations to consolidate services targeted on high-risk young people, to establish child-health taxing authorities, and to ensure the enrollment of eligible children in health care entitlements. A second grant-making strategy pursued by the RWJF seeks to foster changes that are most beneficial when configured at the regional level. Examples include regional perinatal referral programs, immunization tracking …