Systems of Care and Policy to Improve Resilience of Young Children with Developmental Disabilities and Health Conditions
摘要
This chapter examines the development and current state of systems of care and policy frameworks designed to strengthen resilience in young children with developmental disabilities and health conditions, known as children with special healthcare needs (CSHCN). Using both person-centered and identity-first language, it stresses the vital need for integrated medical, behavioral, educational, and social services that provide comprehensive support. Synthesizing key models—such as the Social Ecological Model, Life Course Theory, and Resilience Theory—it illustrates how child well-being results from dynamic interactions among individual traits, family dynamics, community resources, and broader policy and cultural factors. The chapter reviews prevalence statistics, disparities in access, and the evolution of support systems, noting how structural inequities hinder equitable outcomes. It highlights the collective responsibility of communities, families, and institutions to build adaptive, inclusive systems that foster participation, well-being, and rights for all children, concluding with a call for integrated, equitable care aligned across policy, practice, and research to support children and families.