Meaningful partnerships with youth with special health care needs and families of children with special health care needs can help Medicaid agencies better support youth and families in meeting their goals for improved health and well-being. To understand the broad range of engagement strategies being used by Medicaid agencies across the country, the Center for Health Care Strategies, with support from the Lucile Packard Foundation for Children’s Health, conducted a 50-state survey and a set of interviews with select states and family-focused organizations.

This report highlights key findings from the survey and interviews, including engagement themes, challenges, and recommendations for Medicaid agencies, youth with special health care needs and families of children with special health care needs, and funders to strengthen engagement that can have lasting impact on outcomes, quality, equity, and cost.