CHILD HEALTH CLINICS (CHC) Fact Sheet  What is CHC? CHC is a collaborative group of public health agencies working together since 1992 to improve the lives of low-income children in the Omaha area.   What agencies are involved in CHC? The agencies involved in CHC are: Charles Drew Health Center, Creighton University Department of Pediatrics, Douglas County Health Department, Indian-Chicano Health Center, and the University of Nebraska Medical Center Department of Pediatrics. The Creighton University School of Nursing, the Visiting Nurses Association and St. Joseph Villa are also involved through the CHC home visitation program (PEaCh).  In August of 1999, Metro Omaha Medical Society became part of the consortium.  What is the mission of CHC? The mission of CHC in addressing the needs of medically under-served children is to provide leadership for family-centered, community-based, and culturally competent health services. This mission is achieved by:  Setting a Children's Health Agenda; Determining priorities for improving the health care for children in Douglas County.  Communicating Among Child Health Stakeholders; Centralizing information and professional development opportunities for CHC members and creating partnerships for children's health.  Pooling Resources for a Common Agenda; Raising funds together to address the priorities of CHC.  Assuring Quality Health Care for Children; Continuously evaluating and reporting on the quality of care and health needs of medically under-served children. How is CHC funded? CHC is currently funded by a Title V Maternal and Child Health grant from the Nebraska Health and Human Services System.  Cash and in-kind match is provided by all participating agencies.  What types of activities is CHC currently involved in or have planned for the future? 1.  CHC conducted a feasibility study researching home visitation models and programs within Omaha, the State of Nebraska and nationwide with a focus on evaluation and long term outcomes.  The study resulted in the implementation of a public health nurse home visitation model developed by Dr. David Olds, thus making Omaha one of three national replication sites.  The Prenatal and Early Childhood Home Visitation Program or PeaCh, is administered through the Creighton University School of Nursing in cooperation with St. Joseph Villa Homecare and the Visiting Nurses Association. 2.  CHC developed the Child Health Passport which is widely disseminated across all CHC sites and is the model for the Health Child Passport distributed by the Immunization Task Force-Metro Omaha. 3.  CHC has sponsored and co-sponsored training sessions: a)  for service providers on cultural competency and how to work more effectively with interpreters in a clinic situation; and, b)  for interpreters to improve their skills and proficiency in providing interpretation services in health care settings. 4.  A community report card on children's health has been developed, plans for the future include: a)  developing peak flow action plans for children with asthma, b)  insuring linkages to WIC programs, c)  expanding membership of CHC, d)  addressing issues related to perinatal substance abuse, e)  developing the Child Health Connection, an on-line computer network of people involved in child health.  How can I find out more information about CHC?  For more information, contact: Andrea Skolkin, CHC Executive Director, at (402) 354-6377.