2026 CHNA Implementation Strategy

Enhance Care Coordination and Early Identification for Children with High Medical Needs

Children’s will explore opportunities to enhance and deepen its relationship with Alabama’s Coordinated Health Networks (“ACHNs”) to support earlier identification, referral, and intervention for medically complex children and children with high medical needs. By strengthening communication and coordination with ACHNs, Children’s can help identify children who may benefit from specialty care, care navigation, family support, or other interventions before needs escalate or families experience avoidable barriers to care. Children’s will also explore opportunities to o‡er continuing education, in-service training, and pediatric-focused resource support to the Alabama Department of Human Resources (“DHR”). These

o‡erings would be designed to strengthen Children’s partnership with DHR and equip sta‡ serving children and families with information that supports timely referral, appropriate care coordination, and more e‡ective service to children with medical, developmental, behavioral, or safety-related needs. In addition, Children’s has launched Family Partners, a Family Advisory Council designed to create structured, two-way communication between Children’s and families of children with high medical needs. Family Partners will provide input on barriers families experience, opportunities to improve care coordination and communication, and ways Children’s can enhance services for children and families who rely heavily on pediatric specialty care.

Together, these strategies are intended to improve earlier identification, strengthen cross-system coordination, incorporate family voice into service improvement, and help children with high medical needs access the right care and support at the right time.

Support Educational Continuity and School Re-Entry for Hospitalized Children

Children’s will continue to support educational continuity for hospitalized children through the Sunshine School, which employs certified teachers who help patients remain connected to their academic work while receiving care. Sunshine School teachers coordinate with a hospitalized child’s regular teacher and school to obtain assignments, support academic progress during hospitalization, and help reduce learning loss. For children with Individualized Education Programs (“IEPs”) or other educational supports, Sunshine School teachers work with the child’s school, family, and care team as appropriate to understand applicable accommodations and support the child’s educational needs during hospitalization. This outward-facing coordination with schools and teachers helps promote smoother transitions back to the classroom, reduces disruption caused by illness or injury, and supports the child’s overall well-being.

Through this work, Children’s seeks to help hospitalized children maintain academic connection, reduce avoidable learning loss, and re-enter school with stronger continuity of support.

CHILDREN’S OF ALABAMA

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IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY