About the Project

Since 2010, the Michigan CSHCS (Children's Special Health Care Services) Division has led a partnership focused on increasing access to quality health care for children and youth with epilepsy (CYE) in rural and underserved areas. The Michigan Pediatric Epilepsy Project is partnering with clinic sites across the state to implement quality improvement (QI) practices supporting health care transition, communication and collaboration among providers, telehealth and telemedicine, and shared decision-making.

Project Strategies

Statewide Quality Improvement (QI) Network
Clinic teams participate in webinars and meetings to share best practices, learn about innovative strategies, and identify where improvements can be made in their practices. This network of clinics is working together to incorporate strategies to support their patients and families with health care transition to adult providers; improve communication and co-management between primary care providers and specialists; use telehealth to expand care to patients; and apply shared decision-making principles within their practices.

This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under grant number H98MC26257, Awareness and Access to Care for Children and Youth with Epilepsy, in the amount of $416,000. The contents are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.

Family Engagement
Families are involved at all levels of the project:

Parent and youth consultants are part of the Project Advisory Group and Leadership Team and provide first-hand perspectives on their health care experiences
Each clinic team includes a parent representative who participates in trainings, meetings, and project planning
Parent Mentoring is offered through the Family Center to support and connect parents with similar experiences
Feedback is gathered from families at meetings, on team calls, and through surveys

Outreach and Education
The Epilepsy Foundation of Michigan is the project's lead outreach and education partner. Trainings and outreach activities are customized for audiences such as school staff, health care personnel, first responders, families, and the general public.

Statewide Partnerships
Michigan's Children's Special Health Care Services (CSHCS) partners with the following organizations:

Epilepsy Centers/Clinics:

Beaumont Children's

Beaumont Neurology Clinic (adult)

Children's Hospital of Michigan

Detroit Medical Center Neurology Clinic

Helen DeVos Children's

Mercy Health Hauenstein Neurosciences (adult)

MSU Neurology Clinic (pediatrics and adult)

UPHS: Marquette Hospital Neurology Clinic (peds)

Primary Care Practices:

Alcona Health Center