Children and Youth

This report presents the findings of an innovative, qualitative study exploring the experiences of youth with special health care needs as they transition into adulthood. It focuses on the importance of including youth in the decision-making process, and uses their insights and experiences to help shape and inform recommendations for future initiatives. This report includes background information, an environmental scan, research findings and quotes from study participants.

New Editions provided logistics and management support to assist the Office on Disability (OD) in implementing the Call to Action Strategic Plan. We planned and conducted important events, including a conference with major healthcare provider organizations to identify best practices in disability awareness training for physicians and nurses, as well as a forum with employers to identify best practices in providing access to healthcare services for employees with disabilities.

New Editions supported the Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS’s) New Freedom Initiative (NFI) Working Group, which was led by the HHS Office on Disability (OD). The Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) worked through the NFI Working Group on a project to analyze and promote the Medical Home Model for children with special health care needs and all individuals with disabilities.

Enacted by the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, the Money Follows the Person (MFP) Rebalancing Demonstration is part of a comprehensive, coordinated strategy to assist states (in collaboration with stakeholders) to make widespread changes to their long-term care support systems. This initiative assists states in their efforts to reduce their reliance on institutional care, all while developing community-based long-term care opportunities, and thereby enabling the elderly and people with disabilities to fully participate within their communities.

New Editions coordinates and prepares a series of complex, accessible reports appropriate for Congress that meet the requirements as outlined in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA).

New Editions provides planning, evaluation, research, technical assistance and logistical services to support the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research's (NIDILRR’s) program planning and improvement, as well as to meet accountability requirements.

New Editions provides a wide range of program support to the Interagency Committee on Disability Research (ICDR). ICDR's mission is to promote coordination among federal agencies that conduct research or implement policy around disability issues.

New Editions provided professional and technical advisory support to field Missions and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)/Washington through the USAID Inclusive Development Hub (ID) within the Bureau for Development, Democracy, and Innovation (DDI), which manages eight congressionally directed programs in the areas of Inclusive Development, Children in Adversity, Youth, Disability Rights and Inclusion, Rehabilitation, Assistive Technology, Mental Health and Psychosocial Support, Indigenous Peoples Rights and Inclusion, and LGBTQI+ Rights and Inclusion.

In honor of Dr. Seuss’ birthday, March is designated as National Reading Month. The primary audience for Dr. Seuss’ books is young children, but his writings have insight for adults, too.  As he said, “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.”

October 8th marks the 30th anniversary of Public Law 99-457 that expanded the special education law to cover infants, toddlers, and preschoolers with disabilities. The law recognizes families as pivotal to the success of babies and young children with developmental disabilities. Early intervention and special education services definitely made a difference for my son, Pete – who is now 28 years old. Pete was born with the rare, genetic Costello syndrome, which is associated with ongoing global delays in development.