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CEDARR Family Center Services
CEDARR = Comprehensive Evaluation, Diagnosis, Assessment, Referral and Re- evaluation

The following are the services that may be provided by a CEDARR Family Center to children with special health care needs and their families:

Initial Family Contact: Initial Family Contact with a CEDARR Family Center (CFC) can range from the routine inquiry of a family looking for basic information, to the family seeking additional in-depth evaluations and a coordinated Family Care Plan (FCP). In many cases, the Initial Family Contact will progress into and become part of the Initial Family Assessment. Intake appointments must be scheduled within 14 calendar days of initial request for routine cases. In the event of a crisis or urgent situation, the CFC is expected to respond and provide appropriate Clinical Triage services. 

Initial Family Assessment and Basic Services and Supports: The Initial Family Assessment (IFA), including the Initial Family Contact, and Basic Services and Supports, comprise the services available to a family upon entry into the CEDARR Family Center. These services may be provided over the course of one or more visits with the child and family. Visits may take place in the home, a community setting or at the CEDARR Family Center, as determined by the family and the CEDARR Family Center. 

(a) Basic Services and Supports provided by the CEDARR Family Center include: 
· The provision of Special Needs Resource Information: In a culturally competent manner, CFCs will have the necessary expertise to inform families and to enable families to inform themselves about specific disorders, prognosis, research findings, treatment and provider options.

· System Mapping and Navigation: Tailored to the needs of the child and family, the CFC shall fully inform the family of the whole system of support, services, assistance and legal rights available to children with special health care needs and their families. The family shall receive assistance in creating their own personal map to navigate the system. This includes understanding eligibility requirements, service coverage and related policies of existing programs, accessing insurance coverage, and interagency coordination issues.

· Resource Identification: The CFC shall help families identify the resources that are available beyond the scope of Medicaid. These resources shall include, but are not limited to: parents, family members, service providers, grants, social programs, support groups, funding options, recreation and school-based opportunities. A core objective is that families are informed of resources closest to home that are least restrictive and promote integration in the home and the community.

· Eligibility assessment and application assistance: The CEDARR Family Center may assist a family in potential eligibility for various programs e.g. Medicaid, Early Intervention, Special Education, Local Coordinating Councils, and if desired by the family, will assist the family in making an application or appropriate referral.

· Peer Family Support and Guidance: Peer Family Support and Guidance is accomplished by linking parents with peers in one-to-one meetings or in family support group meetings. CEDARR Family Centers shall develop formal written agreements with appropriate parent support and information centers to enhance their efforts to provide basic services and supports. 

(b) Initial Family Assessment (IFA): The goal of the IFA is to develop a working profile of the family that forms the foundation for the assessment. The assessment includes: an assessment of urgency; a developmental and diagnostic history (including physical health, behavioral health and cognitive development); an analysis of current interactions with the care system (RIte Care, pediatrician or other primary care provider); involvement with other programs (Early Intervention, SSI, Katie Becket, DCFY programs and school programs); family strengths, needs and supports; knowledge of or linkage with advocacy groups or professional associations; current insurance status and needs; and potential eligibility for various public programs or community supports.

Specialty Clinical Evaluation: The Initial Family Assessment may identify the necessity for an in-depth specialty clinical evaluation, assessment and diagnosis. The Specialty Clinical Evaluation is performed by a CEDARR Family Center affiliated clinical specialist and is used to further inform the assessment and to guide the development of the Family Care Plan. Medicaid reimburses specialty clinical evaluations.

Treatment Consultation: Treatment Consultation is designed to support the participation of the child’s primary care physician (PCP) or other relevant physician in the development and review of the Family Care Plan.

Family Care Plan (FCP) Development: The Family Care Plan is a comprehensive plan developed by the family and the CEDARR Family Center team of professionals designed to address the child’s and family’s needs for services and supports. As appropriate, the FCP may be developed in coordination with existing community resources, specifically Early Intervention Providers, Local Coordinating Councils and Local Education Agencies. The FCP can include Direct Service and Support Services and collateral support services. The FCP may include Family Care Coordination Assistance.

Family Care Coordination Assistance (FCCA): Family Care Coordination Assistance incorporates a range of activities supportive of the initiation of the Family Care Plan as well as activities that promote the development of family empowerment and self-advocacy skills. It is a service that must be elected by the family. Family Care Coordination is time-limited (six months) but may reoccur during transition periods. Activities can include assistance to gain access to services identified in the FCP, coordination and follow-up measures with the family regarding the FCP, and to achieve coordination across programs and funding sources, to strengthen family skills and knowledge of the system and the child’s condition, family supports and linkages, and monitoring and re-evaluation of the FCP. The purpose of the FCCA relationship is to promote fully realized family independence. 

Family Care Plan Review and Revision: Family Care Plans including direct services or Family Care Coordination Assistance must be reviewed at least every six months. At this point, the assessment is updated to identify any changes that may have occurred, and to assess progress in meeting goals and obligations identified in the FCP, and to develop a revised Family Care Plan, as appropriate. The Family Care Plan Review must be developed and signed by the child’s parent(s) or authorized guardian. 

Crisis Intervention Services: All Family Care Plans must specify what to do in a crisis so that there is an understanding and agreement by all involved parties. Direct service providers for Crisis Intervention must be specified in the Family Care Plan. Additionally, all CEDARR Family Centers are accessible 24 hours a day/7 days a week by phone so that any family or professional can ask for instructions on what to do in a crisis. The CEDARR Family Centers provide Clinical Triage and Crisis Follow-up Care Coordination. A licensed Master’s level clinician must perform these services. Crisis follow-up Care Coordination must be provided and includes direct follow-up communication with clinical staff of the direct service provider of crisis intervention services, collaborative work with the family in determining next steps and arranging for community-based services as appropriate.

How Much Does it Cost?

CEDARR services can be paid for by your health plan, the Medical Assistance Program, or by the family, depending on your situation:

· If your child has employer-sponsored health coverage, check with your health plan to see if CEDARR services are covered.
· If your child is eligible for Medical Assistance, the CEDARR Family Center will bill the Medical Assistance Program for services.
· For those without insurance, or if a health plan does not cover CEDARR services, payment arrangements can be made directly with the CEDARR Family Center.

Last Updated March 2003