The Pediatric Community Health Needs Assessment (P-CHNA) is conducted every three years and aims to identify the health needs of underserved child populations in the greater Omaha metropolitan area. It surveys and involves local public health departments, other health systems and hospitals, youth-focused community organizations and parents/caregivers. Based on the 2024 assessment, Children’s Nebraska was guided by data experts and community health leaders to identify three child health priority areas:
As part of the 2024 P-CHNA, Children’s Nebraska contracted with the IPH to conduct a series of qualitative listening sessions focused on three specific populations: immigrant and refugee children, foster care youth and LGBTQ+ children. Conducted by Kevin Fuji, PharmD, IPH faculty research lead and associate professor of pharmacy sciences, each session explored the health needs and challenges faced by these populations, utilizing a broad definition of health and allowing the participants to openly share their experiences and perspectives.
These sessions were designed to complement the broader P-CHNA telephone survey and provide deeper insights into the perceptions and experiences of families and service providers affiliated with these groups. Findings revealed common themes and unique challenges specific to each child population, laying the groundwork for targeted interventions and collaborative solutions.
Strategies were identified by participants that highlight the commonalities across groups within the framework of Children’s Nebraska priority areas of access to care, social determinants of health and mental health, while acknowledging the need for tailored approaches and avoidance of one-size-fits-all strategies.
Read the full 2024 Community Health Needs Assessment Report.