How Illinois is Implementing Bright Futures

Adaptation

In 2011, the Illinois Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics partnered with the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services, the state's Medicaid agency, to revise its Handbook for Providers of Healthy Kids Services to reflect the Bright Futures Guidelines as the standard of care in Illinois. The two organizations reviewed what was included in the Handbook and determined what needed to be updated regarding promotion and reimbursement to ensure the Medicaid program was consistent with the Bright Futures Guidelines and the Affordable Care Act. Sections that cover topics such as well-child visits, anemia testing, and vision screenings were revised based on Bright Futures recommendations and tools such as the Bright Futures/AAP Periodicity Schedule.

The Illinois Chapter has a Bright Futures website that provides links to resources for providers and families.

Training

The Illinois Chapter has training for child care and early education providers to help them engage parents in their children's health care. The training focuses on basic information in the Bright Futures Guidelines, what happens at well-child visits, and available tools and resources. The chapter aims to educate providers on ways to prepare and support parents for pediatric visits.

From 2005 to 2013, the Illinois Chapter offered multiple trainings to pediatricians about the Bright Futures Guidelines through its Enhancing Developmentally Oriented Primary Care project, a partnership with Advocate Healthcare Healthy Steps Program. 

Partnerships

The Illinois Chapter partnered with the state's Department of Healthcare and Family Services to create the Bright Futures Advisory Council. The group worked to promote the Bright Futures Guidelines throughout the state and to revise its Handbook for Providers of Healthy Kids Services to include information from Bright Futures and created a Bright Futures website with links to tools and resources.

Bright Futures Audio Files

Using Bright Futures Guidelines to Train Early Childhood Professionals
Rachel Sacks, MPH, Manager, Early Childhood Development, Illinois Chapter

Contacts

Illinois AAP Chapter

For more information about maternal and child health activities in your state, visit the Health Resources and Services Administration's website to find local contact information for the Maternal and Child Health and Children With Special Health Care Needs representatives.