HB 51

1
A bill to be entitled
2An act relating to transitional services for adolescents
3and young adults with disabilities; creating the Health
4and Transition Services Program; assigning the program for
5administrative purposes to Children's Medical Services in
6the Department of Health; providing purposes of the
7program; delineating the target population; describing
8participating service providers and the services that they
9are to provide; providing for an evaluation of the
10program; providing an effective date.
11
12Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
13
14     Section 1.  Health and Transition Services Program;
15creation; purposes; participating agencies and services
16provided; evaluation.--
17     (1)  The Health and Transition Services Program is created
18for the purpose of assisting adolescents and young adults who
19have special needs relating to health care and educational and
20vocational services in making a smooth transition from the child
21health care and educational system to the adult health care
22system and employment. For administrative purposes, the program
23is located in Children's Medical Services in the Department of
24Health.
25     (2)  The target population for the program comprises
26persons who are at least 14 but not more than 26 years of age
27and have chronic health-related or developmental conditions.
28     (3)  The following elements must be in place in order to
29ensure the success of the Health and Transition Services
30Program:
31     (a)  A consultative partnership between adult and pediatric
32health care providers in a major medical health care
33organization or academic medical setting for the purpose of
34training and transferring adolescents and young adults to adult
35health care services.
36     (b)  A primary care clinic established in a major medical
37health care organization for the purpose of fostering the
38partnership between adult and pediatric health care providers.
39     (c)  Community-based health care services that are provided
40pursuant to agreements with major health care organizations or
41academic medical centers for purposes of providing consultation
42concerning the management of special health care needs.
43     (d)  Community-based support organizations that can provide
44assistance with services such as supported living and
45employment, health insurance, and support services to maintain
46the young adults in the community.
47     (4)  The following services shall be offered to individuals
48who are enrolled in the Health and Transition Services Program:
49     (a)  An assessment of health needs, educational and
50vocational status and needs, and health insurance status.
51     (b)  In coordination with the educational system,
52community-based organizations, and the vocational system, a plan
53for transition which includes adult health services, education,
54habilitative services, independent living, adult employment, and
55health insurance.
56     (c)  A medical home that provides for coordinated and
57multidisciplinary care and focuses on engaging adult health care
58providers in the care and treatment of the adolescents or young
59adults.
60     (d)  Disease self-management programs.
61     (5)  The Health and Transition Services Program shall be
62directed by a medical director having experience in adolescent
63health. A project coordinator shall assist the medical director
64in developing and implementing the program. Other staff may be
65included in order to provide a full range of health and
66transition services.
67     (6)  The Health and Transition Services Program shall be
68evaluated by an organization or university that has expertise
69and experience in evaluating health care programs. The
70evaluation must be formative and cumulative and must include
71program process and outcome measures as well as client outcomes.
72The results of the evaluation may be used to improve and
73replicate the Health and Transition Services Program statewide.
74     Section 2.  This act shall take effect July 1, 2007.


CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.