Livingston HealthCare - Park County Pediatric Community Care Team

Overview

Livingston HealthCare is a member of the Park County Pediatric Community Care Team (PCPCCT), a collaborative of 14 organizations that provide medical, social, and educational services to Park County children and their families. The Team’s vision is for every child in Park County to have the support they need to reach their potential. Its aim is to improve access to pediatric services, provide resources and information to children and their families, and expand or develop programs to meet the needs of Park County’s youth. PCPCCT was started in June 2007 with the goal of improving delivery of services for children and families through education of one another, the community, and parents, in addition to streamlining services to reduce or eliminate redundancy.

Livingston HealthCare takes part in PCPCCT’s Ready, Set, Grow!!!, a free check-up for children birth to five years old. Performed by pediatric specialists, this mini-physical includes screenings of physical skills, speech and language, learning readiness, vision, and hearing. An annual free screening is held each fall; mini-screenings are offered monthly.

Impact

Before PCPCCT was formed, four different organizations conducted child finds, with a combined total of 40 to 50 children seen per year. Now, approximately 100 children are served per year, and testing is more comprehensive. Care delivery is improved, and services are streamlined. When families enter the system from any point, they have quicker, easier access to the services they need. And member organizations reap the benefit of receiving referrals.

Challenges/success factors

All 14 organizations are passionate about what they do and were responsive and open to the collaboration opportunity from the onset. Team members realize that the PCPCCT is not meant to replace any organization but rather to enhance the effectiveness of each organization for the community. Coordinating PCPCCT activities was challenging at first; a team coordinator was hired to work on Team-related tasks such as setting up meetings and helping with referrals.

Future direction/sustainability

In 2008, PCPCCT received a federal grant to fund network development. During this time, team members drafted the Park County Pediatric Resource Guide. PCPCCT recently conducted a county-wide pediatric needs assessment and is examining preliminary results. The Team continues to seek funding through grants and other sources.

Advice to others

This type of collaborative could be replicated in both rural and urban settings. Develop your overarching plan. Start on a small scale and expand efforts incrementally. In larger markets, competing agencies/organizations have to be considered when determining referrals.

Contact: Chad Yoakam
Manager, Rehabilitation Services
Telephone: 406-823-6443
E-mail: chad.yoakam@livingstonhealthcare.org