Great Lakes Wire

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has received a $2.25 million grant for the Michigan Youth with Epilepsy Transition demonstration project. This initiative is designed to support youth with epilepsy as they transition into adult health care.

The five-year grant is provided by the federal Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA) Maternal Child and Health Bureau. The project aims to enhance the quality of life for young individuals with epilepsy and their families, focusing on those with complex health and social needs or requiring significant family support.

“The transition from youth to adulthood can be particularly challenging for young people and their families, especially for those with conditions like epilepsy. This project aims to enhance coordination across various systems to ensure a successful transition for these youth, while also offering vital support to their families,” said Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director. “By collaborating with four major epilepsy centers in Michigan, we will provide comprehensive assistance to help young people with epilepsy and their families navigate the shift from pediatric to adult care.”

The funding will allow MDHHS's Children’s Special Health Services (CSHCS) program to improve its efforts in transitioning youth to adulthood by enhancing coordination between healthcare providers and other services. Additionally, resources will be developed to assist youths and families in navigating various systems beyond healthcare that serve children and adults.

There are approximately 13,600 children aged 17 and younger with epilepsy in Michigan. Nationally, only 23% of adolescents receive necessary services for transitioning to adult health care.

Over the next five years, CSHCS will collaborate with two pediatric and two adult neurology clinics on strategies for improving transitions into adult-serving systems for children and youths with epilepsy. The project will focus on strengthening collaborations across child- and adult-serving systems, developing a Michigan healthcare transition framework, creating a Roadmap to Transition resource guide, and engaging directly with youths with epilepsy and their families.

In addition to the four neurology clinics involved in this initiative, key partners include the Epilepsy Foundation of Michigan, the Michigan Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Michigan Public Health Institute, Susan B. Meister Child Health Evaluation and Research Center at Michigan Medicine, and Patient and Family Partnerships Inc.

CSHCS operates within MDHHS under Title V of the Federal Social Security Act. It serves children and some adults who have chronic health conditions by aiming to improve health outcomes and quality of life for individuals with special healthcare needs.

For more information about CSHCS, visit the MDHHS website.