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In February, care coordinators, social workers and nurses from OneCare Kansas (OCK) programs statewide gathered virtually for the first Community of Practice session of 2024. During this session, participants shared strategies for timely completion of Health Action Plans (HAP) and explored ways to incorporate feedback from OCK members for quality improvement in service delivery. The team is looking forward to coming together again in May for the next Community of Practice session.
The next OCK Learning Collaborative session is scheduled for April 16. The team looks forward to connecting with directors and managers during the upcoming session.
The state continues to collect success stories from our provider network, illustrating the positive impact of the OCK program on KanCare members. This month’s success story comes from Hannah Sexton at Central Kansas Mental Health Center.
“Our staff worked with April to increase her physical activity routine as a means of coping and managing flashbacks from her past. Recognizing the grounding effect physical activity has on April, this initiative played a pivotal role in enhancing her mental and emotional well-being. Our staff worked with April to establish a goal in the HAP to monitor her movement progress, with weekly walks scheduled together, weather permitting.
April has consistently met her distance goals, adapting her routine to walk outdoors in good weather or around her home when weather conditions are not ideal. She has reported that walking has helped her feel more confident and present. By working together to identify and overcome barriers, April has taken ownership of her healing journey and experienced improvements in her physical health. We are proud of April's achievements and her commitment to improving her health and well-being.”
Thank you, Hannah, for sharing this inspiring success story and for your dedicated efforts in supporting April. Keep up the great work!
If you have a success story to share, please submit it to the OCK state team.
Setting goals is fundamental for guiding OCK members toward improved health outcomes. OCK empowers members to take charge of their health through personalized HAPs. The HAP, developed collaboratively between members and their care coordinators, details specific goals unique to the member and the necessary steps to accomplish them. The key to success within this framework is the implementation of SMART goals.
Understanding SMART Goals
SMART is an acronym standing for specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-based. It provides a structured approach to setting achievable and meaningful goals. The HAP follows these SMART goals criteria:
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Specific: Clearly defined and focused.
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Measurable: Able to be quantified to track progress.
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Attainable: Realistic and achievable within the member's capabilities and a reasonable timeframe.
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Relevant: Related to supporting the member's health needs and desired outcomes.
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Time-based: Associated with a specific timeframe for completion.
By incorporating these principles into HAP goals, OCK empowers members to take ownership of their health journey. Clear, measurable objectives and achievable timelines provide a sense of direction and accomplishment, increasing the likelihood of success.
Application of SMART Goals
To illustrate the practical application of SMART goals within a HAP, consider the following example. Suppose a member's general goal is to exercise more. Through the SMART framework, this general goal can be transformed into a specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound goal, such as "over the next six months, they will attend the gym three times per week and complete 30 minutes of cardio and 15 minutes of strength training."
By introducing specific details and a timeframe, goals become significantly more effective through the SMART framework. Integrating SMART goals into HAPs allows providers to enhance the quality of care, ultimately leading to improved health outcomes and overall well-being for OCK members.
For further guidance on setting SMART goals, refer to these examples and tips. The HAP Portal Instructions also include information on integrating SMART goals into the HAP.
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder stemming from brain differences. Individuals with ASD may exhibit distinct behaviors, communication styles, social interactions and learning patterns compared to other individuals. There are no physical characteristics that universally distinguish those with ASD. Abilities may vary greatly, with some individuals exhibiting strong speech skills while others are nonverbal. Some may require significant daily support, while others can work and live independently.
ASD develops before age three and can persist throughout life; however, symptoms may improve over time. While some children show ASD symptoms within their first year, for others, it may not be evident until after age two. Some children initially progress in development, only to plateau or regress around 18-24 months old.
Understanding the signs and symptoms of ASD is essential for early detection and intervention. These can include challenges in social communication and interaction, such as avoiding eye contact, not responding to their name, limited facial expressions and disinterest in interactive play activities. Additionally, individuals with ASD may exhibit restricted or repetitive behaviors, like organizing toys and becoming upset if disrupted, repeating words or phrases, needing strict routines and engaging in repetitive physical movements. Other characteristics may involve delays in language, motor skills and cognitive abilities, as well as a higher risk of epilepsy, anxiety or stress.
Diagnosing ASD can be challenging as there are currently no definitive medical tests available for diagnosis. Doctors rely on observing a child’s behavior and developmental milestones to reach a diagnosis. Although ASD can be detected in children as early as 18 months old, a confirmed diagnosis by a healthcare professional is usually achieved by the age of two. However, some individuals may not receive a confirmed diagnosis until later in life, including during adolescence or adulthood, which delays treatment interventions.
Treatment for ASD aims to reduce the symptoms that impact an individual’s daily life and well-being. Since ASD presents differently in each individual, treatment plans are tailored to their specific strengths, challenges, and needs. This requires a team of professionals from different fields, such as education, healthcare, community, and home environments, to collaborate and create a personalized treatment plan. Examples of treatment options for ASD may include:
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Behavioral Approaches: Analyzing and modifying behaviors through Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA).
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Developmental Approaches: Utilizing speech and language, occupational, sensory, and physical therapies to support overall development.
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Educational Approaches: Implementing the Treatment and Education of Autistic and Related Communication-Handicapped Children (TEACCH) approach to adapt classroom environments.
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Social-Relational Approaches: Enhancing social skills and fostering relationships with involvement from parental or peer mentors.
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Pharmacological Approaches: Although not addressing core ASD symptoms directly, using medications can help with managing co-occurring symptoms to improve functioning.
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Psychological Approaches: Utilizing Cognitive-Behavior Therapy (CBT) to address anxiety and depression.
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Complementary and Alternative Approaches: Incorporating other approaches such as special diets, herbal supplements, chiropractic care, animal therapy, art therapy and relaxation techniques.
ASD is a diverse developmental condition with unique behaviors and communication patterns. Early recognition, personalized treatments and collaborative support systems play a crucial role in enhancing the quality of life for individuals with ASD. For more information, visit this autism spectrum disorder webpage.
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