Epilepsy Florida, Inc

Transition for Youth With Autism And/or Epilepsy Demonstration Projects - 7300 North Kendall Drive, Suite 760, Miami, FL 33156 Project Director: Karen Basha Egozi (VOICE) 305-670-4949 (FAX) 305-670-0904 Email: Kegozi@eafla.org Www.epilepsyalliancefl.org Funds Requested: $450,000 Epilepsy Alliance Florida’s (EAFLA) Bridge to Independence Program (BIP) Will Empower Youth With Epilepsy Through Innovation to Ensure Successful Transition From Child- to Adult-serving Systems. the Population Served Is Youth Aged 13-26 With Autism And/or Epilepsy Who Require a Higher Level of Support (YAES) and May Have Other Co-morbid Conditions. Research Indicates Dissatisfaction Among Special Needs Young Adults About the Accessibility of Healthcare and Related Services in Their Communities. Recommendations for Improvement Included Enhanced Information to Help Young Adults Understand the Medicaid Eligibility Process Better, Increased Coordination in Training With Families and School Professionals to Better Understand Daily Challenges That Youth Face, Increasing Access to Mental Health Professionals in Underserved Areas, and Incentivizing Professionals to Work With the Special Needs and Medically Complex Adult Population. According to the 2022 National Survey of Children’s Health, 77% of Youth Don’t Receive Assistance Transitioning to Adult Care. the Program’s Objectives Aim to Improve Yaes Successful Transition to Adult Serving Systems, Adopt a Framework for Ongoing Consultation Between Agencies to Support Successful Transitions and Improve Self-efficacy With the Transition Process. the Bip Program Will Collaborate With Strategic Partners to Provide Reliable Tools and Information to All Yaes, Families/caregivers, Stakeholders, Clinicians, Schools, Universities, and Community Organizations. Eafla’s Long-standing Community-based Partnerships Will Help Ensure Patients and Families Have the Information and Methodology to Consider Appropriate Options for Transition to Adult Medical Care, Post-secondary Education, Mental Health Services, Emplo Yment Opportunities, and Other Factors Related to Self-efficacy and Independence. the Program Is Designed to Be Implemented and Evaluated Using the Dynamic Sustainability Framework (DSF) as an Implementation Science Framework to Provide Continuous Evaluation. This Will Allow for Timely Response to Evolving Program Needs and Priorities. Recruitment of Yaes and Outreach Efforts Will Target Transition-age Participants and Their Families Through Referrals From Healthcare Providers, Emergency Departments, Schools, and Other Community Partners. Geotargeted Online Messaging and Text Messaging Through the Care Message Platform Will Help Reach Underserved Areas. Florida Has a Prevalence of Epilepsy, in Minority Groups and Those Living in or Near Poverty. Language Barriers and the Guardianship Processes Are Significant Challenges Yaes Face During Transition. Also, Co-morbidities, Such as Autism, Further Complicate the Transition Experience. Addressing These Barriers to Facilitate the Transition Process Is Crucial for Improving Outcomes and Quality of Life for Yaes. Eafla Works Closely With Florida Hospitals, Community Health Clinics, and Other Locations Where Youth of Transition Age Are Likely to Seek Services. Organizations That Work With Underserved Residents Routinely Refer Clients to Eafla and Will Be Engaged in Research and Strategy Development During Year One and Collaborative Program Delivery in Subsequent Years. Eafla Will Also Work With Florida School Districts, Colleges, Universities, and Vocational Programs. Utilizing the Life Course Theory, Eafla's Interventions Will Be Vetted Through the Newly Formed Advisory Council Made Up of Yaes and Their Families/caretakers and Representatives of Child and Adult Serving Agencies. Interventions Designed for Special-needs Organizations Will Be Distributed to Those Agencies. Eafla Will Regularly Evaluate Resources and Strategies Developed Through Bip to Gauge Effectiveness.