The Care 360 Program represents a significant initiative in managed healthcare, specifically designed to support vulnerable populations of children, youth, and young adults. This program is tailored for those in foster care, children and youth receiving adoption assistance, and select young individuals involved in the juvenile justice system. Initially launched in Georgia on March 3, 2014, with Amerigroup Community Care of Georgia as a key provider, the Care 360 program delivers essential healthcare coverage to approximately 27,000 individuals within these demographics.
The core objectives of the Care 360 program are structured around enhancing the healthcare experience for its members, focusing on several critical areas:
Goals of the Care 360 Program
The program is strategically designed to achieve specific improvements within the healthcare system for vulnerable youth. These primary goals include:
- Improved Healthcare Access: A key focus is to significantly improve access to a comprehensive range of healthcare services. This is especially crucial for physical and behavioral health services that are covered under the Medicaid program, ensuring that members can readily receive the care they need.
- Increased Continuity of Care: Recognizing the often transient nature of foster care and related systems, the program prioritizes continuity of care. This means ensuring seamless healthcare transitions for members, particularly when they move in and out of foster care, preventing disruptions in their medical and behavioral health treatments.
- Enhanced Health Outcomes: Ultimately, the Care 360 program aims to enhance the overall health outcomes for its members. This is achieved through proactive care coordination and improved oversight of both physical and behavioral health aspects, ensuring a holistic approach to each member’s well-being.
To realize these goals, the Care 360 program provides a range of targeted services designed to improve care coordination, enhance access to healthcare, and ultimately foster better health outcomes for its members.
Key Services of the Care 360 Program
Members enrolled in the Care 360 program benefit from a suite of services specifically developed to address their unique healthcare needs:
-
Medical and Dental Home: To ensure consistent and continuous care, each member is provided with a designated medical and dental home. This allows for the selection or assignment of a primary care provider and a primary dental provider, establishing a stable base for their routine and ongoing healthcare needs.
-
Regional Care Coordination Teams: Understanding the complexities often involved in the care of these populations, the program establishes Regional Care Coordination Teams. These teams are dedicated to helping coordinate all aspects of care and facilitate the scheduling of necessary appointments, streamlining the healthcare process for members and their caregivers.
- Each member is assigned a dedicated care coordination team that works in close collaboration with personnel from the Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) and the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ). This collaborative approach extends to affiliated healthcare providers across the state, ensuring a network of support.
- These care coordination teams actively collaborate with DFCS agency staff, foster parents, and young adult members themselves to develop personalized healthcare plans. They are also responsible for the ongoing monitoring and measurement of each member’s health outcomes. Emphasizing a person-centered approach, all stakeholders, including the members when they are of appropriate age, are directly involved in shaping their ongoing health care plans and transition plans, guaranteeing that their physical and behavioral health needs are comprehensively addressed.
-
24/7 Intake Line: Recognizing that healthcare needs can arise at any time, a 24/7 Intake Line is available. This service is crucial for providing immediate support and assistance to foster and adoptive parents, caregivers, providers, and members themselves, ensuring access to help whenever needed.
-
Ombudsman Support: To further assist caregivers and members in navigating the healthcare system, Ombudsman staff are available at both the Department of Community Health (DCH) and Amerigroup. These dedicated professionals provide support, guidance, and assistance in resolving any healthcare-related issues or concerns.
-
Rigorous Medication Management Programs: Given the specific needs of this population, the Care 360 program includes rigorous medication management programs. These programs are particularly focused on the appropriate monitoring of the use of psychotropic medications and medications for ADD/ADHD within the Georgia Families 360˚ population, ensuring responsible and effective medication practices.
In conclusion, the Care 360 program stands as a robust framework designed to provide comprehensive and coordinated healthcare for vulnerable children and youth within Georgia’s foster care, adoption assistance, and juvenile justice systems. By focusing on improved access, continuity, and health outcomes, the program aims to make a significant positive impact on the lives of its members.
