Pediatric Practices Participate in First STEPS (Strengthening Together Early Preventive Services) Learning Initiative

First STEPS (Strengthening Together Early Preventive Services) Learning Initiative Update

**We had a wonderful response to the First STEPS learning collaborative with over 20 practices and three inpatient providers currently participating in the collaborative.  Phase I of the collaborative is focused in Improving Immunization Rates. Phase II will begin in the Spring of 2012 and will focus on Developmental, Anemia and Lead Screening.  Practices will be able to apply for Phase II of the collaborative.  More information will be posted on this site over the next few weeks regarding the application process.**

The First STEPS (Strengthening Together Early Preventive Services) Learning Initiative is a 2-year improvement effort (Sept 2011- Sept 2013) that will be divided into 3 phases:

• Phase 1: Raising immunization rates
• Phase 2: Improving developmental, lead, and anemia screening
• Phase 3: Building healthy habits: promoting healthy weight and oral health

Participating physicians will have the opportunity to earn Part IV Maintenance of Certification (MOC) credit for each phase of this program for American Board of Pediatrics and American Board of Family Medicine Board Recertification.  Each phase will run for 6-8 months using a modified Break Through Series collaborative model based on the Institute for Healthcare Improvement's (IHI) proven model.

Maine and Vermont are the recipients of a CHIPRA grant, “Improving Health Outcomes for Children” (IHOC) from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) which funds effort to support practice improvement and health information technology connections. The IHOC project is supporting this work with Maine Quality Counts to offer several learning initiatives to improve preventive services for children based on the principles of the Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) and the AAP’s Bright Futures toolkit.

For more information, contact:  Amy Belisle, MD, Maine Quality Counts

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it - 207 (829-8444) phone and fax

or Sue Butts-Dion, Program Manager, First STEPS

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it 207-283-1560 phone and fax