Minnesota Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics

Anti-Racism & Health Equity

<h3 class="wp-block-heading">What is a work group?</h3>



The MNAAP work groups were formed as part of the chapter’s strategic priorities plan to address areas in which change or improvement would benefit the lives of Minnesota’s youth. During a work group meeting, members often identify opportunities for collaboration, potential projects to take on, or other ways to advocate for their cause. Email Bethany Venable (venable@mnaap.org) for more information.



Anti-Racism &amp; Disparities



The Anti-Racism &amp; Disparities work group is looking ahead to spring with plans to host a retreat to bring members together in an energizing session of planning and visioning. The group is also the chapter’s point of contact for a new contract initiated with the YWCA to help further embed diversity, equity, accessibility and inclusion in the MNAAP culture and operations. The Anti-Racism &amp; Disparities Work Group next meeting is set for Monday, Dec. 11, from 12:15 to 1 p.m. via Zoom.



Early Childhood



It has been a monumental year for investment in the littlest Minnesotans, thanks in part, to all the MNAAP members who spoke up for children who can’t speak for themselves. Yet, all this positive change yields more opportunity and more work to do! This year, our chapter will have monthly meetings or lectures about the ways we can advocate at the policy level for prenatal to five health and investment. We will also talk about how we can bring important programming into our daily practice. Our next meeting is Oct. 27, at 12:10 p.m. via Zoom.&nbsp; If you believe in the power of the first 1,000 days to change a life course, then please join us!



Behavioral/Mental Health



The Behavioral/Mental Health work group continues to work on the Minnesota Pediatric Mental Health Access Program MOC 4 focused on depression screening in LGBTQ+ and BIPOC communities. We are looking forward to learning more about how we can have open, affirming screening and supportive conversations around mental health from the youth in our community partnerships. 



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MNAAP Work Group News | Fall 2023

A policy that was put in place during the COVID pandemic to make sure no one lost their Medicaid coverage expired in early April. Now, nearly six months later, states are in the process of reviewing their programs to check who is still eligible for the program. This is being called the Medicaid &#8220;unwinding.&#8221;
Last week, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) called for a nationwide assessment and repair of healthcare eligibility systems because they suspect children who should be covered by Medicaid/Children&#8217;s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) were mistakenly dropped from their healthcare coverage.
You can help make sure eligible patients and families continue to receive coverage with these resources:
<ul>
<li>This <a href="https://mn.gov/dhs/medicaid-matters/renewal-dashboard/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://mn.gov/dhs/medicaid-matters/renewal-dashboard/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1694823335110000&amp;usg=AOvVaw03AfWhnNsruFJnpHfPNFPS">interactive dashboard</a> from the Minnesota Department of Human Services tracks the statewide resumption of renewals. You can view the total number of enrollees and total number of households due for renewal each month, and sort this data by demographic information and program eligibility category.</li>
<li><a href="https://downloads.aap.org/AAP/PDF/Medicaid/AAP%20unwinding%20two%20pager_3.15.23.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://downloads.aap.org/AAP/PDF/Medicaid/AAP%2520unwinding%2520two%2520pager_3.15.23.pdf&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1694823335110000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1RIXUpA4OebqW8jE9P0YGM">Medicaid Unwinding: What Pediatric Practices Need to Know</a>  – This flyer is information for pediatric practices on Medicaid Unwinding.</li>
<li><a href="https://downloads.aap.org/AAP/Documents/Practice_Template_Letter_Unwinding_Medicaid.docx" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://downloads.aap.org/AAP/Documents/Practice_Template_Letter_Unwinding_Medicaid.docx&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1694823335111000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1XKtxdOJM7MX72luEOTzQ1">Pediatric Practice Template Letter to Families</a> (<a href="https://downloads.aap.org/AAP/Documents/Practice%20Template%20Letter%20Unwinding%20Medicaid%20Spanish%20Copy.docx" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://downloads.aap.org/AAP/Documents/Practice%2520Template%2520Letter%2520Unwinding%2520Medicaid%2520Spanish%2520Copy.docx&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1694823335111000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0KCwht-2h89kBzrxK5LpDk">Spanish Version</a>)– A template letter that practices can customize with state-specific information and send to families on the Unwinding.</li>
<li><a href="https://downloads.aap.org/AAP/PDF/AAP%20Unwinding%20Overview%20April%202023.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://downloads.aap.org/AAP/PDF/AAP%2520Unwinding%2520Overview%2520April%25202023.pdf&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1694823335111000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2wPUPMk0sqa2lN0JbOM9A2">AAP Unwinding Overview</a> – A slide deck providing background and an updated overview of the Unwinding.</li>
<li><a href="https://downloads.aap.org/AAP/PDF/Medicaid/AAP%20Unwinding%20Practice%20Guidance.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://downloads.aap.org/AAP/PDF/Medicaid/AAP%2520Unwinding%2520Practice%2520Guidance.pdf&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1694823335111000&amp;usg=AOvVaw02rIfIDx3uySi0VbAeDWek">Unwinding Practice Guidance</a> – View practice guidance to help maximize patient coverage and prevent revenue loss during the Medicaid Unwinding</li>
</ul>

Medicaid Unwinding Resources for Practices, Patients and Families

The Anti-Racism and Disparities (ARD) workgroup met for a winter retreat this past January. It was a great gathering, full of reflection and discussion.&nbsp;



The purpose of this workgroup is to facilitate a chapter structure for members that is just, diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible; and to promote health equity for children of Minnesota as identified by Minnesota communities and families.&nbsp;



Here is an update on the work that this group wants to do together in 2023:



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="alignleft is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="http://www.mnaap.org/wp-lib/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Picture1-491x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-4103" width="240" height="501"/></figure></div>



WORKGROUP



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Assist with Equity Consultant and website redesign</li><li>Provide ARD guidance for board and workgroups when needed</li><li>Work with national AAP &amp; other state chapters on ARD initiatives</li><li>Work with other professional state organizations to collaborate on ARD initiatives. </li></ul>



CHAPTER



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Create safe environment for group work, learning, and growth</li><li>Meet quarterly virtually </li><li>Have two retreats per year </li></ul>



MEMBERS



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Provide efficient ARD resources and communication</li><li>Provide and promote ARD education opportunities</li></ul>



COMMUNITY



<ul class="wp-block-list"><li>Amplify and participate in ARD community organizations’ work </li><li>Promote C&amp;TC access and utilization equity</li><li>Provide resources to improve parent and caregiver literacy levels</li></ul>



We are working on our chapter’s website redesign with the goal to have one page with ARD relevant Community Resources, Healthcare Worker Resources, and Workgroup sections.&nbsp;



We will also find ARD MOC4 projects for chapter members. We hope that this will give members opportunities to access ARD resources in a helpful and meaningful manner to advance this work together.&nbsp;



More news to come. Thank you for all you do for children and families every day!



Valeria Cristiani, MD, MPH, FAAP



Co-chair MNAAP ARD workgroup&nbsp;



Cristiani.valeria@mayo.edu

MNAAP Work Group Update:  Anti-Racism & Disparities

A subgroup of the chapter’s Anti-Racism &amp; Disparities work group has successfully launched their first project: a partnership with Reach Out and Read Minnesota to train clinicians to work with parents on how to raise race-conscious children.



The program, currently in the pilot phase at several clinics throughout Minnesota, was the result of the group’s goal to work with existing community organizations to reach parents and families with anti-racism education efforts.



The program includes a training module for clinicians and two specially selected books depicting diverse children and families. The books are given out as part of the Reach Out and Read portion of the 6-month and 3-4 year visits. Clinicians have a brief discussion with families about raising race-conscious children, and provide a bookmark to help facilitate discussions at home.

Anti-Racism & Health Equity Updates

MNAAP Work Group News | Fall 2023

Medicaid Unwinding Resources for Practices, Patients and Families

MNAAP Work Group Update: Anti-Racism & Disparities

Partnership with Reach Out and Read MN Yields Anti-Racism Training Pilot Program