Project Access

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Project Access: Improving Care for 
Children with Epilepsy

Every year, approximately 50,000 new cases of epilepsy are diagnosed in children and adolescents under the age of 18.  Children and youth living in medically underserved and rural areas as well as racial and ethnic minority populations often lack access to a medical home and encounter difficulties in having their epilepsy diagnosed.  The shortage of pediatric neurologists and epileptologists further hinders access to early detection and treatment. 

The Children’s Health Act of 2000 authorized the Department of Health and Human Services to implement demonstration projects in medically underserved areas to improve access to health services and encourage early detection and treatment for children with epilepsy and seizure disorders. The Health Resources and Services Administration awarded grants to four organizations to improve access to care for children and youth with epilepsy through community based service systems.  These organizations are as follows:

1. Children’s Hospital Los Angeles

2. Washington State Department of Health 

3. Epilepsy Foundation:  New York and Florida

4. Trustee of Dartmouth College:  New Hampshire and Maine

In addition, a cooperative agreement was awarded to the Epilepsy Foundation to support a National Center for Project Access to provide national leadership to the Maternal and Child Health Bureau/HRSA and Project Access grantees. The National Center works with funded states to develop public education and awareness campaigns to raise public and professional awareness about epilepsy; develop skills building programs for youth and families with epilepsy; develop and disseminate resources on trends and issues related to access to care for children and youth with epilepsy; and provide forums to stimulate discussion about strategies to reduce the shortage of epilepsy providers.