Training Resource Center: Medically Fragile Program

The Medically Fragile Training Program provides orientation, training, and support to families providing care to the child with complex medical needs throughout Kentucky. Resource parents working with the Cabinet for Health and Family Services and private child caring agencies, along with DCBS and PCC staff, and respite providers attend Medically Fragile training. The Medically Fragile Orientation is a prerequisite to the initial training, Join Hands Together, and both are required for all families before they are certified to provide care to children that are medically fragile. Both an ongoing curriculum and training model have been developed to assist families with meeting their training requirements as a Medically Fragile resource parent. A medically fragile listerv is maintained to provide families with information on training opportunities and other relevant updates and information. Goal: The goal of the Medically Fragile Training Program is to provide training and support to resource homes in Kentucky caring for children in out-of-home care with complex medical needs. Objectives Objective 1: Develop curricula that will provide accurate and current information to resource families. The program coordinator works closely with the Training Branch, Medical Support Team, and other partners to identify subjects that need curriculum development. The need for curriculum development is further identified by surveying current medically fragile resource parents. All curricula is thoroughly researched and checked for accuracy. This includes consultation with the Medical Support Team and partners in the medical community. Objective 2: Coordinate statewide trainings. The program coordinator works closely with DCBS utilizing the TRIS system and R & C workers to notify and track participation in statewide trainings. Trainings are attended by DCBS and PCC staff, resource parents, and respite providers. The program coordinator utilizes training participant data to develop a training schedule to meet the needs of existing medically fragile resource parents. Objective 3: Provide phone and email support to the DCBS Central Office/ Medical Support Section staff. The program coordinator provides support to DCBS Central Office/Medical Support Section staff regarding medically fragile training and other related questions/issues. This support (via phone, email, and personal attendance) is based on the need of DCBS, specifically the Medical Support Section. This support and communication includes regular updates regarding medically fragile curriculum and trainings; quarterly collaborative meetings; feedback to DCBS Central Office regarding significant issues that arise during the training process, especially those related to practice or policy concerns; and communication regarding all training dates and times so that Central Office and the Medical Support Section may participate. Objective 4: Monitor training participation. The program coordinator and staff support works with TRIS to track participation at Medically Fragile trainings. Objective 5: Maintain a listserv to distribute information to families providing medically fragile care. A listserv that includes medically fragile resource families, CHFS staff, and other community partners is maintained and continually updated. This listserv is used as a vehicle to disseminate information on Medically Fragile training opportunities and other relevant updates and information. Objective 6: Provide information, support and consultation to R&C Staff. The program coordinator will be available to consult with R&C supervisors and staff who work to recruit existing foster parents to provide Medically Fragile care. The program coordinator will provide information, support and consultation as it relates to the Medically Fragile Training Program.