Person and Family Engagement

The active participation of individuals and their families can be critical to the success of a services integration program. Family involvement is especially important in care coordination programs that serve children, particularly children with special healthcare needs. Successful care coordination programs should make sure to connect with the patient as well as any support networks when possible.

As part of a one-stop shop center for children with behavioral, developmental, social, or emotional needs, Florissa hosts a regular parent forum. This forum provides an opportunity for parents who use the center's services to share their feedback on the program. Florissa uses this input to help guide the development of their center and the services and programs offered.

Another rural community established an advisory committee for their school-based services integration program. This committee included program partners, parents, and school officials. This committee helped increase support for and trust in the program. The committee also provides feedback on parent-friendly services that the program provides to better accommodate the needs of low-income, working parents who want and need to access health services.