Across the country, Medicaid agencies and managed care organizations are expanding approaches that reflect member priorities and lived experience — including in children’s health, where families regularly navigate multiple systems, such as health care, schools, child welfare, and other community supports. While family advisory groups can help ensure that policies, programs, and care models are responsive to what children and families need, sustaining meaningful engagement often requires dedicated and intentionally designed infrastructure, facilitation, and supports.

California’s Whole Child Model integrates Medi-Cal (Medicaid) and California Children’s Services for children with qualifying complex health care needs in select counties. As part of the model, participating Medi-Cal managed care plans (MCPs) operate Family Advisory Committees (FACs) to bring the perspectives of families and caregivers into the design, implementation, and ongoing management of care for children served by the model.

With support from the Lucile Packard Foundation for Children’s Health, the Center for Health Care Strategies (CHCS) is facilitating the Whole Child Model Family Advisory Committee Network, a learning community of five California MCPs — CalOptima, CenCal Health, Central California Alliance for Health, Health Plan of San Mateo, and Partnership HealthPlan of California — and family representatives. The network is designed to help MCPs strengthen how they engage families through their FACs, while helping family representatives feel more confident and prepared to participate in FAC and advisory group meetings. It also provides a space for candid dialogue and collaboration to improve Whole Child Model care delivery and program operations.

Over a two-year period, CHCS will manage and facilitate the network, including convening and supporting regular meetings and shared learning. To deepen participation and strengthen the effectiveness of the network, CHCS will provide enhanced facilitation and capacity-building supports designed to build cohesion, relationships, and shared ownership of the network. These supports will help MCP staff and family representatives identify shared priorities, strengthen meeting practices, and address common challenges.

CHCS will also publish a report to highlight lessons, promising approaches, and strategies for success that can inform similar family advisory efforts in other states.