In mid-May, 2018, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NAM) released a report detailing a proposal to focus on long-term goals and coordination of care across service sectors for programs and services for children with disabilities. Dr. Paula Allen-Meares is an elected member of NAM and was invited to serve, by the president and ceo, on the Committee on Improving Health Outcomes for Children with Disabilities for over a year to produce the report.
The report concludes that while a variety of services and programs exist to support the needs of children with disabilities and their families, a focus on achieving specific near- and long-term goals that help prepare for adulthood and coordination of care within and across service sectors are integral to encouraging health growth and development.
The committee examined federal, state, and local programs and services in a range of areas, such as health care, special education, transition to adulthood, vocational rehabilitation, and social needs care.
The study was sponsored by the U.S. Social Security Administration.
Pictured Right: Dr. Paula Allen-Meares
