2026 CHNA Implementation Strategy

Children’s engaged PARCA to conduct its 2023-2025 CHNA.

Keeping with the methodology of the 2019 CHNA, the instruments used were an online survey, focus groups, one-on-one interviews with key stakeholders, and secondary data research. The three areas of focus for the 2023-2025 timeframe were, in non-ranked order: 1 Child/adolescent safety was a top concern for all age groups, although the specific type of safety concerns shifted with older children and teens to concerns about substance abuse and mental health. Access to healthcare was important for all age bands but most important from birth to age five. Secondary data confirmed the urgency of healthcare access issues for children birth to age 5, as Alabama remains at the bottom of the national rankings for low birth weight and infant mortality. Access to healthcare for older children (6-13 and 14-18) often included references to access to mental health services. Parent and caregiver safety education about available services and resources and how to navigate them seems to be emerging as a missing piece between secondary data indicating children in Alabama are well insured and primary data including patients perceive their access to healthcare is limited. 2 3

Key measurements for the three (3) areas of focus included on pages 6 thru 8.

CHILDREN’S OF ALABAMA

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IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY