Activities » Improving Policy

The ABCD experience has demonstrated that Medicaid and other state agencies can play an important role in promoting system and practice level change to improve routine identification of young children with developmental problems. Policy improvements most often occurred when they were an integral part of the work from the start rather than added on later in the project. Projects were most successful when senior officials within state government supported them and there was a defined line of communication between project staff and these decision-makers.

States improved policy in a number of ways, including improving program coverage (eligibility and benefits), performance, and reimbursements. Even minor policy improvements, such as incorporating information about acceptable developmental screening activities into EPSDT provider handbooks or other materials that convey reimbursement policies to providers, can promote effective screening.

This section includes information on actual policy changes that were implemented as well as processes for making policy change.

• State-specific Resources produced by ABCD Consortia States for Improving Policy
• Peer-reviewed literature for Improving Policy
• Technical assistance Resources produced by NASHP and The Commonwealth Fund for Improving Policy
• Other Resources for Improving Policy