Perinatal and Infant Oral Health Quality Improvement National Learning Network
This announcement solicits applications for the Perinatal and Infant Oral Health Quality Improvement National Learning Network. Support is available, in the form of a cooperative agreement, from the Health Resources and Services Administration¿s (HRSA) Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB). The purpose of the Perinatal and Infant Oral Health Quality Improvement National Learning Network (the Network) is to coordinate the development and testing of an evidence-informed strategic framework that can inform statewide health care systems transformation. This new knowledge will guide systems change to more efficiently and effectively respond to the oral health needs of pregnant women and infants most at risk. Knowledge gained will comprise the National Strategic Framework for Improving Perinatal and Infant Oral Health through Systems Change.  This framework will identify the core elements of successful health care delivery systems change and the processes that drive its implementation, continuous improvement, and endurance. Concrete examples of success will include: increased utilization of preventive dental care by pregnant women, establishment of a dental home[1]?[2] for infants by age one, reduced prevalence of early childhood caries (ECC), and reduced dental expenditures.  Understanding the change process will empower states as they develop their own approach for replicating evidence-informed strategies. The Network is expected to fulfill four important functions: Assist in state's efforts to strengthen statewide partnership and collaboration; Enhance knowledge transfer between the participants, offering guidance and assistance to better leverage knowledge gained; Provide a secure internet-based workspace for data tracking of the Network participants as they focus on strategy and implementation; and Articulate a clear and comprehensive strategic framework built on the achievements and lessons learned from successful operationalization of innovative strategies for statewide systems change. The successful applicant, either a single national organization or consortium led by one, will serve as the Network Management Team responsible for coordinating all aspects of the Network. To effectively serve in this position, the successful applicant must demonstrate that it has (or has ready access to) expertise in: (1) governance structures of public health systems[3]; (2) systems administration and payment of care, specifically for oral health care; and (3) health care delivery systems performance and evaluation. This funding opportunity is integral to the planned outcomes and impact of the MCHB Perinatal and Infant Oral Health National Initiative, a three-phase, six-year strategy set forth to increase access to care for pregnant women and infants and to achieve health equity for those most at risk for oral disease (see Background section of this FOA for details). Funding for this project will support the three phases of the initiative: Facilitating statewide implementation of an oral health program that has demonstrated success at the community level, developing the foundation of the framework (the Implementation Phase); Facilitating expansion of statewide implementation test-sites and refinement of the strategic framework (the Expansion Phase); and Disseminating an evidence-informed national strategic framework (the National Outreach Phase). During the first and second phases, achievements and lessons learned will be translated into new knowledge that will bring into focus the fundamental implementation principles that prove successful in leading health care systems change.  The Network should design a framework capturing the current knowledge base and clearly articulate a comprehensive process for change. As an overarching link between the three phases of MCHB¿s national initiative, the Network will lead the effort to capture the collaborative process between key state partners who will collectively act towards a common mission to achieve quality improvement in the state and local health care system(s) that serve pregnant women and infants.  For the propose of this funding opportunity, ¿quality improvement¿ will be defined as the combined and unceasing efforts of everyone¿healthcare professionals, patients and their families, researchers, payers, planners and educators¿to make the changes that will lead to better patient outcomes (health), better system performance (care) and better professional development.[4] The Network will assist in fostering collaboration among key state stakeholders, including recipients of the Title V Block Grant funds, as they facilitate the process of developing efficient and effective comprehensive statewide systems of care. It is expected that these collaborative efforts will include a state¿s lead Maternal and Child Health agency. For the purpose of this cooperative agreement, the Network will focus on the state dental director¿s capacity to champion a productive and collaborative team of key state stakeholders. This enhanced assistance will be available specifically in states where the Title V Needs Assessment identifies perinatal and/or infant oral health as a priority need and have selected the Title V National Performance Measure for oral health or a state-specific measure that promotes access to care and/or improved oral health of pregnant women and children. A Glossary of Terms (see Appendix A) is available to support the applicant's efforts in completing their proposal. [1] American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. Oral Health Policy - Policy on Dental Home. Available at: ¿http://www.mychildrensteeth.org/media/Policies_Guidelines/P_DentalHome.pdf" Accessed December 13, 2103. [2] American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Pediatric Dentistry. Oral health risk assessment timing and estab- lishment of the dental home. Pediatrics 2003;111(5): 1113-6. [3] Hughes, R., Ramdhanie, K., Wassermann, T. and Moscetti, C. (2011), State Boards of Health: Governance and Politics. The Journal of Law, Medicine and Ethics, 39: 37¿41. [4] Batalden PB, Davidoff F. What is ¿¿quality improvement¿¿ and how can it transform healthcare? Qual Saf Health Care 2007;16:2¿3.
Office: Health Resources and Services Administration
CallCenter@HRSA.GOV
