Addressing the Challenges and Cost of Health Care for At-Risk Children in Roanoke, Virginia, USA

Abstract

The Child Health Investment Partnership of the Roanoke Valley (CHIP-RV), Virginia, USA, has been helping at risk children and families for the past 24 years. CHIP-RV began as a grassroots effort involving local pediatricians, social service agencies, and the public health department. Working together these professionals have developed and implemented a comprehensive program that provides for health care coordination, family strengthening services, and mental health services all directed at the mission of promoting health of medically under-served children within the greater Roanoke Valley. CHIP services are directed at low-income pregnant women and children from birth to kindergarten entry. Services include home visits with an RN, medical records reviews, in-home comprehensive assessments, health education, preparation for kindergarten, support for management of difficult behaviors, skill development, home and child safety, dental varnish application, and transportation to health and social services. Evaluations of the CHIP-RV model has shown CHIP-RV to be successful at meeting selected health and social needs of at-risk children and families. It is a model that should successfully interface with the Affordable Care Act as well as private/public efforts to reduce the cost of health care, help families to utilize the health care system and keep children well.