COCP Special Interest Groups

To strengthen the pediatric workforce serving rural and under-resourced communities by fostering collegiality, mentorship, policy development, fiscal sustainability, and collaborative innovation—ultimately improving access to comprehensive, high‑quality health services for children with the goals to:

1. Strengthen Support for Pediatricians in Challenging Practice Settings    

• Provide clinical, professional, and emotional support for pediatricians practicing in rural and safety-net environments
• Strategize ways to reduce administrative burdens unique to these settings: sustainable payment strategies and fiscal management

2. Build Collegiality, Mentorship, and Professional Community

• Highlight and share the joys and rewards of practicing in these vital community roles.
• Increase mentorship opportunities and peer connections for pediatricians working in rural and safety‑net settings.
• Develop a national support network that fosters collaboration, shared learning, and professional resilience.
• Promote pediatricians in leadership roles through mentorship, coaching, and targeted support.

3. Advance Child Health Policy for Under-Resourced Communities

• Develop and advocate for rural child health policies that address the unique needs and public health issues experienced by geographically isolated communities.
• Develop and advocate for child health policies for FQHCs to help under-resourced communities
• Create synergy and momentum around improving health outcomes for children served in rural and safety‑net systems, including those with social or medical complexity and public health issues (i.e., environmental health) 
• Collaborate with state and national rural health, FQHC, and safety net organizations and other partners to amplify impact 

4. Expand Workforce Development Across the Health Career Pipeline

• Educate, inspire, and recruit future child health professionals at every stage—from early exposure as youth to advanced training.
• Promote career pathways that lead to practice in rural and safety‑net settings.
• Support retention through professional development, mentorship, and community‑building.
• Maintain adequate funding for national and state loan repayment programs, professional development, and other incentives that help support and retain child health professionals in rural, FQHC and safety-net settings
• Explore current Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) scoring systems used to determine criteria for funding and resources

5. Improve Access to Comprehensive Child Health Services

• Address issues challenging children’s access to high‑quality, comprehensive health programs and services across rural, FQHC and safety‑net communities.
• Support innovative models of care that address social drivers of health, medical complexity, and continuity through the transition from pediatric to adult care.
• Share best practices, elevate challenges, and drive collaborative solutions.

• Raise awareness of the benefits of time in nature among physicians, families, partners, and policymakers
• Expand access to natural settings for every child
• Increase children’s participation and engagement in nature experiences
• Strengthen public commitment to environmental justice and climate resilience
• Work in partnership with local communities to preserve, enhance, and expand natural settings

AAP in Action: Taking It Outside
The AAP held a virtual strategic planning meeting that allowed the Nature and Child Health Planning Group and SIG to plan and set the stage for future activities. Those initial plans laid the groundwork to raise awareness of the proven physical and mental health benefits of time in nature.

Promoting Nature-State and Community Programs
During this webinar, Drs. Lauren Herbert, Nooshin Razani, and Stacey Stryer discussed their state and community programs promoting nature in Oregon, California, and about ParkRx.  
 
Climate Change & Climate Justice 
Learn from pediatricians actively involved in the Climate Change and Climate Justice work.  During this webinar, Drs. Lori Byron and Maya Ragavan shared information about climate change and child health, climate justice and their own journey working as advocates in this field.