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About the Project

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About the Project

Our Project's Impact Video

Our Project's Impact

The Michigan Pediatric Epilepsy Project helped partners make important changes to improve care for children and youth with epilepsy. Watch the video to hear our partners share their experiences and ways in which the project impacted how they deliver services. 
Between 2010 and 2024, the Michigan CSHCS (Children's Special Health Care Services) Division 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 partnered with clinic sites across the state to implement quality improvement (QI) practices supporting health care transition, communication and collaboration (care coordination) among providers, telehealth, 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 such as:

  • Assisting patients with health care transition to adult providers
  • Improving communication and co-management between primary care providers and specialists
  • Using telehealth to expand care to patients
  • Increasing use of shared decision-making with patients

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 share perspectives on their health care experiences.
  • Clinic teams 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:

Corewell East ~ Beaumont Children's

Children's Hospital of Michigan

Detroit Medical Center Neurology Clinic

Corewell West ~ Helen DeVos Children's

MSU Neurology Clinic (pediatrics and adult)

 

Primary Care Practices:

Alcona Health Center

MSU (CHM) Child Health Care Clinic

 

Community and Statewide Partners:

Family Center for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN)

Epilepsy Foundation of Michigan (EFM)

Michigan Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (MIAAP)

Michigan Public Health Institute (MPHI)

Patient and Family Partnerships, Inc.

University of Michigan CHEAR (Child Health Evaluation & Research Unit)

 

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.