IMPAQ - IL

Improving Pediatric Care, Access and Quality - An Illinois Initiative

Illinois children with developmental disabilities and autism (DD/ASD) and their families need greater access to high quality healthcare.

Illinois pediatricians and family practioners have acknowledged the dire need for greater support implementing screening for early identification, linking with vital community resources (such as early intervention and schools), and providing specialized long-term care coordination for children with DD/ASD and their families.

IMPAQ - IL works to support healthcare professionals in all three areas by building a statewide network to strengthen use of early and consistent screening, ties to community resources, and access to consultation and training to improve every aspect of care.

The foundation for the IMPAQ - IL initiative is the American Academy of Pediatrics' Medical Home Model. The Medical Home is a partnership approach between families and healthcare professionals to provide families access to affordable, quality healthcare from providers striving to make children feel at home. The Medical Home is not a place, but an approach that stresses cared that is c oordinated, continous, comprehensive, compassionate, family oriented, and culturally competent.