CDD Rural Early Access to Children’s Health (REACH)
What is CDD REACH?
CDD REACH was established in 2003 at the Center for Development & Disability (CDD), University of New Mexico, as the telehealth outreach arm of the CDD. The program delivers distance education, clinical services and consultation via interactive video conferencing to areas where services are not readily available. For more information on the REACH Telehealth Program, contact Nellee Thompson at 505-272-3844, or e-mail nthompson@salud.unm.edu
CDD REACH supports telehealth outreach throughout the state by:
- Coordinating videoconferences to connect with communities around the New Mexico, in order to provide access to quality care for families and children with special health care needs in previously underserved areas.
- Facilitating the connection of families and clients to developmental care and early intervention service providers not available in their areas.
- Supporting training and continuing education for health and developmental service providers specializing in developmental disabilities and pediatrics.
CDD REACH provides access to health care providers, children with disabilities and their families
CDD REACH uses Telehealth technology to address access issues that confront rural health care providers and their families by making the need for travel to a larger city with resources unnecessary. Providers for those with developmental disabilities are in short supply in rural areas (Peebles & Pederson, 2005). In New Mexico there is one primary healthcare physician per 1459 people (NM Health Policy Commission Workforce Profile, 2005)leaving rural providers feeling isolated and with inadequate access to education in their specialty area.
Content for id "secondcontent" Goes Here
Videoconferencing technology brings services to families and providers when they want it and where they live.
“My child has Down syndrome. One trip to Albuquerque for a medical visit costs us over $500 in mileage, time off from work, and motel costs.”
- Jane Pierce, parent, Carlsbad
