Medicaid providers, departments of public health, and Title
V, child care, child welfare, and other local agencies that deal with family
health, education, and well-being are key drivers of state health promotion and
disease prevention initiatives. In some instances, these efforts might include
agencies such as departments of housing and transportation.
The evidence-informed recommendations and guidance
offered by Bright Futures, which has been developed by a broad base of
multidisciplinary experts, serve as credible core content for these
initiatives.
State agencies are in a unique position to
- Update or revise provider manuals or required Periodicity Schedules.
- Require or recommend standardized developmental assessments.
- Promote information about Bright Futures and available tools and resources.
- Partner
with other groups to use data-driven strategies to improve the quality
of preventive services delivered in their state and communities. When
appropriate, these groups can provide data to implement high-quality
state and community health care improvement projects (see Quality Improvement section).
- Provide
public education about new and ongoing important prevention topics such
as immunizations, oral health, healthy weight, and emotional
well-being.
- Sponsor provider trainings that incorporate Bright Futures content.
- Change billing and payment policies.
- Implement Bright Futures Guidelines in all public health clinics.
- Educate all home visiting professionals and early education and child care professionals about Bright Futures Guidelines
so that they can reinforce messages when appropriate and help prepare
parents to be effective partners during their children's well-child
visits.