Establishing an Improvement Partnership (IP) Program

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States that are interested in exploring this unique and innovative strategy to improve children’s healthcare quality may learn more by reviewing the information and resources provided below. If you would like to learn more about establishing a program in your state, please feel free to contact us.

DC PICHQ has benefited greatly from the experience of other NIPN states. We didn’t feel like we were starting from ground zero; rather, we were building on the success of others."

Mark Weissman, M.D.
- Children’s National Medical Center

Criteria for Recognition as a Formal IP

States working to form an IP must have each of the following in place in order to be
 officially recognized:

  • Broad-based partnership that includes
    1. state Medicaid agency;
    2. state health department;
    3. local chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and
    4. one of the following: academic institution, children’s hospital or healthcare delivery institution
  • Name and logo, which establishes an identity for the IP
  • Lead contact
  • Practice-level quality improvement experience at one of the below levels:
    1. Tier 1: Experienced in conducting quality improvement in practices
    2. Tier 2: Planning but have not yet conducted quality improvement in practices

Benefits of Network Membership

Recognized IP programs receive access to the NIPN online Technical Assistance Resource Center, funding support to attend network meetings (as available) and are featured in NIPN presentations, marketing and communications materials and other network publications.

States that are interested in developing an IP program are provided access to the NIPN listserv and are invited to participate in monthly network calls and in-person meetings to learn more about the IPs’ work.

IP Development Resources

The brief information sheet and guide to developing an IP program found below can support states’ initial work in mobilizing potential partners and establishing the basic components of an IP.