Research & Evaluation

National Rehabilitation Research and Training Center for Children with Disabilities and Special Health Care Needs

Co-Principal Investigator: Phyllis Magrab, Ph.D.
Co-Principal Investigator: Larke Huang, Ph.D.
Director of Training: Toby Long, PT, Ph.D.
Web Site: http://gucchd.georgetown.edu/Consortium
Source of Funding: National Institute on Disability Rehabilitation Research,
U.S. Department of Education

A research consortium with The Heller School at Brandeis University, the Institute for Child Health Policy at the University of Florida, and Family Voices, a national family policy and advocacy organization, this new Center will conduct research designed to increase the effectiveness of service systems for children and youth with disabilities with special health care needs by focusing on five target areas:

• Access to rehabilitative services within the current health care context
• Impact of managed care and cost control strategies on the provision of health care
• Promising practices in transition from pediatric to adult health care in managed care settings
• Appropriateness and effectiveness of telerehabilitation in remote areas
• Training to address knowledge and skills needed for providers of assistive technology.

These studies will provide the basis for information dissemination, product development, training and technical assistance to our target audience of families, consumers, providers, researchers, policymakers, and health care organizations in order to improve rehabilitative services to children with disabilities with special health care needs and enhance their quality of life. The work of this NRRTC reflects our commitment to comprehensive, culturally competent research and training, and bridging science and service within the context of multi-agency systems of care.