The Jefferson Continuing Care Program (JCCP) stands as a cornerstone initiative dedicated to enhancing the healthcare journey for teens, adults, and older adults managing complex conditions that began in childhood. Operating as a primary care medical home, JCCP is committed to defining and implementing best practices in care, ensuring individuals receive comprehensive and person-centered support throughout their lives. A core mission of the program is to expand disability competency within the interprofessional healthcare workforce, fostering a healthcare culture that is truly centered around the individual and their unique needs.
JCCP is driven by a team of dedicated collaborators, including Dr. Mary Stephens, MD, MPH, FAAFP, who leads the program, alongside experts such as Dr. Allison Casola, PhD, MPH, MCHES, and Dr. Nethra Ankam, MD, among others. This interdisciplinary team also includes Jane Tobias, DNP, RN, MSN, CPNP-PC, Alex Fossi, Adel Herge, OTD, OTR/L, FAOTA, Dr. Wendy Ross, MD, Sabra Townsend, and Karin Roseman, MSW, each bringing unique expertise to the program’s multifaceted approach.
The program’s impact is further amplified through strong community partnerships with organizations like Special Olympics Pennsylvania and the Down Syndrome Association of Delaware. These collaborations ensure that JCCP’s initiatives are community-informed and directly address the needs of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families.
Key themes guiding JCCP’s work include enhancing disability education across medical training, from third-year clerkships to fourth-year electives, fostering community collaboration, and developing educational resources focused on IDD. These themes are practically applied through a range of projects, with the Jefferson Continuing Care Program itself serving as the central hub for clinical activities.
Beyond JCCP, related initiatives further extend the program’s reach. The Jefferson Center for Autism and Neurodiversity, involving Alex Fossi, Jane Tobias, Wendy Ross, and Sabra Townsend, focuses specifically on the needs of the neurodiverse population. Additionally, the National Curriculum Initiative in Developmental Medicine (NCIDM) contributes to ongoing curriculum development and data analysis to improve healthcare education in developmental medicine. Furthermore, Jefferson Elder Care, spearheaded by E. Adel Herge, OTD, OTR/L, FAOTA, addresses the critical intersection of occupational therapy, ID, and dementia, providing essential services and education for individuals with ID and memory loss, as well as their caregivers.
Through these interconnected programs and initiatives, the Jefferson Continuing Care Program is making significant strides in optimizing care and promoting a more inclusive and competent healthcare system for individuals with complex childhood-onset conditions, ensuring they receive the highest quality, person-centered care across their lifespan.
