2026 CHNA Implementation Strategy

Primary Intervention Summary

Intervention Role in Strategy

Primary Audience

Strengthens pediatric readiness in rural and community hospitals through mobile, multidisciplinary simulation training for providers caring for acutely ill and injured children. Supports non-emergent transportation to pediatric and primary care appointments, helping reduce missed appointments and travel-related access barriers. Helps families understand available pediatric services, referral pathways, telehealth options, transportation supports, financial assistance resources where applicable, and community-based services. Connects eligible families with available financial assistance, coverage-related information, transportation supports, and community resources that may reduce cost-related barriers to care. Explores opportunities to strengthen coordination with Alabama Coordinated Health Networks to support earlier identification, referral, and intervention for medically complex children and children with high medical needs. Explores pediatric-focused education and in-service opportunities for the Alabama Department of Human Resources to strengthen collaboration, timely referral, and care coordination for children and families. Creates structured, two-way communication with families of children with high medical needs to identify barriers, improve coordination, and inform service improvement. Evaluates development of a mobile health unit to bring selected pediatric services, screenings, education, and care navigation closer to underserved communities and families who face barriers traveling to Children’s facilities. Uses telehealth and related outreach models to reduce geographic barriers, support timely access, and connect children to appropriate specialty or follow-up care. Continues support for organizations that address health, family support, transportation, wellness, and accessrelated needs across the Birmingham metropolitan area and statewide. Introduces junior high and high school students, particularly students from underserved and underrepresented communities, to healthcare careers and pediatric workforce pathways. Trains current and future pediatric healthcare professionals through clinical rotations, internships, practicums, simulation-based education, and partnerships with UAB, community colleges, four-year institutions, and workforce initiatives. Supports educational continuity for hospitalized children by coordinating with schools and teachers, obtaining assignments, supporting IEP-related needs where applicable, reducing learning loss, and helping children transition back to school.

Rural and community hospitals, emergency departments, pediatric providers, children/families in underserved areas

COACHES

Children and caregivers facing transportation barriers, especially rural and low-income families

Kid One Transport

Parents, caregivers, families with access barriers, medically complex families

Family Navigation and Resource Education

Families facing out-of-pocket costs, uncovered services, transportation costs, or di®culty navigating available assistance

A“ordability and Resource Connection

ACHNs, medically complex children, families, care coordination teams, specialty clinics

ACHN Partnership Development

DHR Continuing Education / In-Service O“erings

DHR sta‡, children and families served by DHR, social workers, care teams

Families of children with high medical needs, Patient Experience, clinical and administrative leaders

Family Partners

Underserved communities, rural families, families with transportation or geographic barriers

Mobile Health Access Strategy

Telehealth and Specialty Support

Rural families, medically complex children, primary care providers, specialty clinics

Community-Based Partner Support

Children, families, community-based organizations, underserved communities

Junior high and high school students, underrepresented students, education partners Medical students, residents, fellows, nurses, allied health professionals, child life specialists, social workers, high school students, workforce partners

Healthcare Career Exposure

Pediatric Workforce Pipeline

Hospitalized children, families, teachers, schools, children with IEPs or educational supports

Sunshine School

CHILDREN’S OF ALABAMA

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IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY