Vermont Child Health Improvement Program

CHAMP’s long-term goal is to increase the efficiency, economy, and quality of care provided to Medicaid-eligible children and families. Building on the momentum of Bright Futures and Vermont's health care reform activities, CHAMP has created a multi-year network of practices that uses a longitudinal approach to improve outcomes. Practices engage in collaborative improvement activities to meet the evolving needs of health care professionals, children, and families.

Achievements:

• COVID-19 Pandemic Response:  Leveraged the CHAMP network and partners by creating a statewide forum to address COVID-19 situation updates and share real-time scientific information/clinical guidance. There were 241 “VCHIP/AAP/AAFP/VDH COVID-19 Calls” held from March 2020 to October 2022, with more than 1,800 participants from primary care practices, subspecialties, K-12 schools, and other health-related organizations. These calls have now transitioned to “The Monthly Scoop” and are convened by the following partners:  AAPVT, VCHIP, VTAFP and Maternal and Child Health at VDH.
  
• Selected Longitudinal (2015-2021) CHAMP Chart Review Improvements Include: 
  
  • Substance Use Assessment Completion improved from 76% to 88%
    
  • Depression Assessment Completion improved from 81% to 90%
    

Assessment Rates at CHAMP Practices Over Time

Source: VCHIP CHAMP Practice Network Chart Review

• The CHAMP Practice Network now includes over fifty (50) pediatric, family medicine and naturopathic practices and engages practices of all sizes and from all regions of the state. Practices may join at any time throughout the year. If interested in joining, please contact the CHAMP Project Director, at vchip.champ@med.uvm.edu.

• CHAMP Annual Quality Improvement Collaborative Projects focus on relevant and timely topics. Participating practices have access to resources, templates, and tools to improve office systems and processes. Shared learning opportunities are incorporated, and MOC/CME credits are available. Recent projects include:
  • Social Media and Youth Well-Being – Project in Process
  • Improving Vermont’s System of Care for Developmental and Autism Assessment and Follow-Up
  • Minds, Hearts, and Hands: Collaborating to Promote Healthy Mental & Emotional Development (2022-2023)
  • Strengthening Vermont’s System of High-Performing Medical Homes: Optimizing the Well-Being of Our Patients and Ourselves (2021-2022)
  • Sharpening our Focus on ADHD: Using Guidelines and Partnerships to Improve Outcomes (2019-2020)

• Building from our 2023-24 CHAMP project focused on developmental screening and autism assessment, we are pleased to release additional autism resources for clinicians!

Leadership from the UVM autism team has created asynchronous training modules on three autism screening and assessment tools, including the RITA-T, Screening Tool for Autism in Toddlers and Young Children (STAT), and the Autism Spectrum Rating Scale (ASRS).  The trainings are case-based and include key resources for ongoing use by clinicians!   Contact VCHIP.CHAMP@med.uvm.edu if any issues accessing the training materials, or if you have questions.

• ASD_Del4c_STAT Training Module
• ASD_Del4b_RITA-T Training Module final
• ASD_Del4d_ASRS PPT

• American Academy of Pediatrics Bright Futures Website

• Building Bright Futures Website

• Click here to view the CHAMP Network Map and additional resources.