MHP 2023 Annual Impact Report

Medical Home Plus is dedicated to EMPOWERING CHILDREN

with special needs and their families by strengthening their pillars of support through education, prevention, resource coordination and advocacy.

Dear Friends,

You might notice that we have included family photos with our letters. At the core of what we do professionally are our own families; my passion behind serving families through MHP’s programs is my own experience as a mom and the realization that it truly takes a village to raise children. In addition to our families serving as inspiration, a core value of MHP is the promotion of a healthy work-life balance. As an employer, we believe that team members will always far exceed expectations if they are valued, entrusted, and fulfilled. Fulfillment for me is never having to miss a moment, but also standing in the gaps of loneliness for the families that we serve. It is hard enough to wear all the hats we each must wear in our lives, but having to stand in your time of need alone is something that MHP can do something about!

In November, we were thrilled to begin offering a new service devised after a year of research and development, surveying community need and assessing gaps that currently exist for families as their children inevitably age out of the public school system. This service is our Transition Planning Program, and not unlike the other care that MHP provides, it is unique, individualized and provided on the basis of empathy and trust. Quality Transition Planning is thinking about the lifelong future of a student and helping to develop and practice the soft skills needed to successfully navigate life in the community and as an adult. MHP is taking a proactive approach by providing families with the necessary information they need to help lead the discovery process for their child’s eventual long-term path, as early as diagnosis. Our expert staff continuing our hands-on model serving families and are now providing advocacy services as it relates to navigating services and connections with other community providers.

I remain proud of MHP’s resiliency and responsiveness to community need. Our tagline has long been: Your Child is Our Mission. To me, this means that MHP does what it takes to support families and their children where they are and with whatever they need. We very much view families as one cohesive unit; much like a mobile—when one aspect of that unit is not at their best, it affects each component of that group. Families who are supporting children with special needs are stronger, more resilient, and more stable when each member of their family is supported. Thank you for helping us to ensure that families throughout the Commonwealth don’t have to navigate the complex systems of care without MHP. Together, we are truly making a difference!

Sincerely,

Emily Jiancristoforo, MHP Executive Director

MHP STAFF

EMILY JIANCRISTOFORO Executive Director

GAIL AUSTIN Director of Operations

HOPE KINKEL WALTON Program Manager

HALEY BARBER Knowledge Systems Manager

MARY PETERS Family Support Manager

CATHERINE KEIPER Bookkeeper

VICKI BEATTY Family Support Advisor

DONNA SABEL Family Support Advisor

KATE OPPE Family Support Advisor

SUSANNAH CLARKE Family Support Advisor

CINDY ACKERMANN Family Support Coordinator and Program Support

KENDRA NAGLIERI Program Support

KATE OLENYIK

Al’s Pals Program Director

LAUREN SHERWOOD Coordinator – Special Families Roanoke

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

MEGAN NEWMAN

President

TOMMY BOWLES

Vice President

ELLE JOYNER

Secretary

JOHN NEWTON

Treasurer

SATYA RANGARAJAN

HALLIE HOVEY-MURRAY

ROBIN SLATER

RYAN GLASER

KENDALL VON MICHALOFSKI

DIANA HUDGINS

DANE DONGIEUX

Dear Friends,

As I sit down to write this letter reflecting on all that MHP has accomplished in the past 12 months, a simple “wow” comes to mind. It is truly astonishing what can be accomplished in such a short time by a community, a team and a board driven by a mission that matters so much to so many. As a founder, my fire has always been fueled by the ability for an organization to identify a critical need, respond to it both quickly and with the right solution, and then scale that solution. While from the outside, MHP looks nothing like a tech startup, its culture is one that very much operates with this same sense of urgency to serve Virginia’s special needs community with the right solutions.

After identifying a critical gap in care for Virginia children with special needs, MHP has been on fire to respond with programming to address these children who will eventually age out of the public school system with little to no plan for what will happen when their supports expire. This response has included input from community partners, subject matter experts, families, and the children themselves. When I think of the enormous effort undertaken to launch our Transition Planning Program, I feel a wave of gratitude for our donors and community partners for their trust in MHP as the right organization to fill this gap.

I can’t help but see our donors and community partners as are our village. As a Mom of two, I know it takes a village and it is only with your generosity and support that MHP has been able to take the lead to urgently serve. To everyone who has donated, fundraised, volunteered, or been an ear to our staff and board, I hope you know that you are the village for so many children and so many families.

Thank you for making this possible.

Sincerely,

Megan Newman, MHP Board President

OUR MISSION: ACCOMPLISHED

Night and day difference when MHP got involved. I can’t thank my advisor enough.

MHP’S STORY

Medical Home Plus was created as an extension to Richmond Pediatric Associates, Inc.

MHP became incorporated as its own entity. Founded on the principle that every child deserves a Medical Home, Dr. Colleen Kraft, Medical Director, established MHP as an organization that employs parents successfully navigating the system of care for their children. This innovative staffing model has allowed MHP to forge a unique connection with families in need based on experience, empathy and trust.

Our IEP Advisory service was created in response to the community need.

Our Transition Planning Program was created.

More often than not, families of children with special health care needs feel overwhelmed and are not sure how to enter into the process of obtaining a network of supports and resources. MHP serves as a hub for families and professionals alike who are seeking information and support for these special children.

OUR SERVICES

• RESOURCE COORDINATION

We work directly with parents (and caregivers) to identify what community services and supports are needed and how families can access them.

• IEP ADVISORY SERVICE

Our Advisors provide direct, one-on-one guidance in helping navigate your child’s individualized education program.

• TRANSITION PLANNING SERVICE

Connections to resources and lifelong development and practice of foundational skills needed to successfully navigate life in the community as an adult.

TRANSITION PLANNIN G

We provide direct guidance to families on the development of plans and connections to community resources to ensure a successful entrance into adulthood for students transitioning out of Special Education.

MHP has a rich history of providing a community of support to the families we work with. Our families have consistently shared their concerns and questions for when their children inevitably age out of the public school system. They face losing access to supports or accommodations and parents worry what their child’s future will be like. Therefore, when faced with this knowledge of parents’ concern surrounding transition, we knew we had to take action.

In November of 2023, MHP launched a new branch of the IEP Advisory Scholarship Program to include Transition Planning Services. Quality Transition Planning includes connections to resources and lifelong development and practice of foundational skills needed to successfully navigate life in the community as an adult. This can include postsecondary education, career paths, independent living, and daily living skills. Better preparing our young adults and their families will lower the risk of experiencing poverty, homelessness, abuse, the criminal justice system, and more. MHP is taking a unique, individualized, and proactive approach to ensure each young adult reaches their greatest potential. Our hope is for MHP’s Transition Planning to have positive ripple effects throughout the state to enrich the lives of our students, our families, AND our communities.

MHP’S NEW KINDERGARTEN READINESS PROGRAM

New funding from The Robins Foundation will support an expanded approach to how MHP delivers IEP Advisory Services. The Medical Home Plus Kindergarten Readiness Individualized Education Program addresses the unmet need for specialized early intervention support and resources for families of children with special needs. Many families struggle to navigate complex systems of care and education, especially before their child starts kindergarten, which can impact their educational outcomes. By providing crucial advisory services in the early stages of the IEP process, we aim to improve educational outcomes and enhance the quality of life for children with special needs in and around Richmond. This initiative empowers families to proactively address their child’s needs before they enter school, ensuring a strong foundation for their educational journey.

MHP’S IMPACT IN 2023

“My advisor was very nice and explained a lot of the items I wasn’t fully understanding. It was definitely a nice feeling that someone had my back and not steamrolling over me and my concerns.”

Over 80% of our revenue earned/raised goes directly back into our programs serving children throughout the Commonwealth.

10% +

of families served in 2023 received MHP’s expert advice for two or more children.

The number of children MHP served in 2023 increased by 34%

ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH

COUNTIES SERVED

Accomack

Albemarle

Amelia

Appomattox

Augusta Botetourt

Brunswick

Caroline

Charlotte

Chesterfield

Cumberland Dinwiddie

Essex

Franklin Frederick

Gloucester

Goochland Halifax Hanover Henrico Henry Isle of Wright James City King George King William Loudon Louisa Madison Matthews New Kent Nottoway Page

Powhatan

Prince Edward

Prince George

Prince William

Pulaski Roanoke Rockingham Smyth Southampton Spotsylvania

Stafford Surry Warren Washington York

52% APPROXIMATELY

OF OUR CASES ARE IN THE RICHMOND AREA

CITIES SERVED

Chesapeake

Colonial Heights

Fredericksburg

Hampton

Harrisonburg

Hopewell

Newport News

Norfolk Poquoson

Richmond

Staunton

Suffolk

Virginia Beach

Winchester

IN 2023, WE EXPANDED OUR REACH BY 20%

KEY CHALLENGES

Child in need of plan, evaluations/assessments needed, goals needed, goals need to be targeted/measurable, accommodations needed, services needed, plan is not being followed, poor communication between school and home

STARTING AGE OF CASE

613 ENGAGEMENTS IN 2023

OUR IEP ADVISORS PARTICIPATED IN

599 EDUCATIONAL PLANNING MEETINGS WITH THE PARENT AND PROFESSIONAL TEAM.

WE’RE ON THE CASE

In 2023, MHP provided qualifying families these services free of charge:

IEP PHONE CASES Our IEP Coordinators provide knowledgeable phone-based services to families.

IEP ADVISOR CASES Our IEP experts work directly with the family and school team.

RESOURCE COORDINATION CASES Our Coordinators help families find the supports and resources they need.

“My advisor made me feel like family. She helped my son get exactly where he needed to be. I could not be more amazed with her. She is definitely worth her weight in gold and diamonds.”

Most children MHP serves have two or more diagnoses, which complicates the educational planning process, making expert assistance all the more important.

66%

OF CHILDREN SERVED IN 2023 HAVE 2 OR MORE DIAGNOSES

PROCESSING DISORDER

SUSPECTED OR AT RISK

ORTHOPEDIC IMPAIRMENT

MENTAL HEALTH

AUTISM ADD/ ADHD

GENETIC DISORDER

EMOTIONAL/ BEHAVIOR DISORDER

OTHER HEALTH IMPAIRMENT

INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY

NEUROLOGICAL DISORDER

SPECIFIC LEARNING DISABILITY

SPEECH & LANGUAGE IMPAIRMENT

DEVELOPMENTAL DELAY

TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY

NEW IN 2023

WELCOME TO THE TEAM! • CINDY ACKERMANN

Family Support Coordinator & Program Support

As MHP’s Family Support Coordinator, I help families by listening to their needs and providing resources. As a parent with a child with disabilities, I feel I can provide comfort and understanding to our families, which is why I love working to support our mission.

WELCOME TO THE TEAM! • SUSANNAH CLARKE Family Support Advisor

As a Family Support Advisor, I assist families with understanding their rights and helping to build a successful IEP for their child. Additionally, I present our IEP Essentials Webinar monthly for families who hope to better educate themselves on the overall IEP process.

NEW TITLE ALERT! • HALEY BARBER Knowledge Systems Manager

As MHP’s Knowledge Systems Manager, I am proud to use my teaching experience, adaptability skills, and passion for people with all abilities to oversee connections in our life-changing organization.

NEW TITLE ALERT! • HOPE WALTON Program Manager

As MHP’s Program Manager, I am a compassionate leader with a steadfast focus on the operational work of Virginia’s Medication Administration Training Program and MHP’s Uncork Hope event. Because of MHP, I have found true meaning in my life.

NEW TITLE ALERT! • MARY PETERS

Family Support Manager

As MHP’s Family Support Manager, I serve as the liaison between the intake process and the expert advice MHP provides —both educational as well as connections to community resources. As the mother of a high school student with autism, I feel very passionate about the support that we provide families.

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

NINA DOMBALAGIAN

My oldest nephew is on the autism spectrum and I remember the early days of his diagnosis. My sister and brother in law struggled to find resources to not only support him, but for themselves as they tried to navigate this situation. I see the work MHP has done for so many families just like my sister’s and know that the stability and peace their getting from this amazing organization cannot be matched. I feel privileged to be a small part of this organization and the mission to bring every child the care and support they need to flourish.

DONOR SPOTLIGHT

JAKE AND JILL KOUNS

Supporting MHP resonates deeply with us. Their unwavering dedication to making education accessible for every student, regardless of their personal challenges, mirrors our own beliefs. As the parents of three incredible kids, we’ve seen firsthand the importance of ensuring every family has access to necessary support and resources. We’ve been champions of MHP for over a decade now. Attending the Uncork Hope gala each year isn’t just about the event itself; it’s a powerful reminder of the significant impact and success MHP has achieved. From engaging in wine pulls to bidding on auction items and taking part in paddle raises, we’re honored to play a role in supporting MHP’s mission.

SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT

KIDMED

We continue to be impressed with MHP’s mission and unwavering advocacy for a medical home for children with special health care needs. MHP is instrumental in using a multidisciplinary approach to connect families to the social and medical care that these children need to thrive. Just as KidMed excels in the acute care of ill and injured children in our community, we are equally proud to support the vital mission and services of Medical Home Plus.

COMING IN 2024

Save the date for

Uncork Hope 2024

11/8/2024

MHP Family Toolkit

This will include the most comprehensive range of 5-minute “knowledge nugget” videos and resources on IEPs and Section 504 topics available.

Early Childhood Services

MHP Kindergarten Readiness

Program- providing crucial advisory services in the early stages of the IEP process.