This notice announces the opportunity to apply for funding under the Transforming Pediatrics for Early Childhood (TPEC) program.
The purpose of the TPEC program is to establish resource hubs that support the placement of early childhood development (ECD) experts into pediatric practices1 that serve a high percentage of prenatal-to-five year old (P–5) populations who are eligible for Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) or are uninsured. To achieve long-term improvements in early developmental health, school readiness, family well-being, and health equity, the primary goals are to: 1) improve equitable access to a continuum of ECD services2 in pediatric patient-centered medical home (PCMH) and similar settings, and 2) improve the capacity of pediatric practices and workforce to deliver high-quality ECD services that address the holistic needs of children and families.
Core program objectives to be accomplished during the period of performance include:
• Increase the number of ECD experts2 trained, equipped, and placed in pediatric settings serving Medicaid/CHIP-eligible or uninsured P–5 populations;
• Increase the number of pediatric practices offering a continuum of ECD services that includes comprehensive early developmental health3 promotion/prevention, screening and surveillance, care coordination and linkage, and intervention;
• Improve ECD knowledge and competencies among pediatric primary care staff; and
• Identify and advance solutions to specific barriers to sustained and holistic ECD service delivery in primary care, such as policy and financing barriers, ECD workforce needs, care coordination, and service gaps.
For more details, see Program Requirements and Expectations.
Any domestic public or private entity, including an Indian tribe or tribal organization (as those terms are defined at 25 U.S.C. § 5304 (formerly cited as 25 U.S.C. § 450b)) is eligible to apply. See 42 CFR § 51a.3(a). Domestic faith-based and community-based organizations are also eligible to apply. If funded, for-profit organizations are prohibited from earning profit from the federal award (see 45 CFR § 75.216(b)).
Lynlee Tanner Stapleton, Ph.D.
301-443-5764