Medicaid Pathways for PlayReadVIP Sustainability and Expansion

Trauma and ResilienceMaternal and Child Health

Oct 22

Aurrera Health conducted federal and state policy research for the New York University (NYU) Grossman School of Medicine to identify an approach to expand PlayReadVIP in new jurisdictions and take the intervention to scale across the nation through Medicaid. PlayReadVIP is a relationship-based, individualized parent-child intervention that is administered to families in the context of pediatric primary care. The curriculum, delivered by an interventionist, focuses on supporting interactions in the context of pretend play, shared reading, and daily routines to promote early relational health and prevent disparities in child development and school readiness. As part of our work, Aurrera Health conducted policy research to identify pathways for Medicaid financing in five states and developed a strategy to demonstrate the effectiveness of the program to state Medicaid agencies, rationale for covering the services, and mechanisms states might consider for coverage. Aurrera Health also supported the development of PlayReadVIP promotional materials so that more children and families across the country can benefit from the program.