Care coordination Experiences of Low-Income Parents of Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs: An Exploratory Study

Objective. To explore parent perspectives on barriers, facilitators, and priorities related to coordinating care for children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN). Methods. Thirty-nine parents of Medicaid-eligible CYSHCN participated in focus groups and completed a brief survey about their child's health insurance coverage, access to specialized services, and need for support with service coordination. Survey data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Focus group data were analyzed by multiple independent coders using an approach that combines inductive reasoning with predetermined coding strategies. Results. Sixty-seven percent of parents reported that they needed care coordination support. Qualitative data were organized into three main themes: the work of caregiving; the impact of caregiving on multiple aspects of parents' lives; and caregivers' needs related to emotional acceptance, service referrals and navigation, and developmental transitions. Conclusions. Findings support importance of services such as medical homes, care coordinators, peer navigators, respite care, and transition planning.