Let’s be real — coordinating your child’s medical care and supports can feel like a full-time job. First steps, birthdays, graduations… and then suddenly you’re enrolling in Medi-Cal waivers, trying to find new doctors for your young adult, and wait — why can’t I see my child’s medical info anymore?! And let’s not forget the everyday stuff we’re trying to teach our kids along the way: consent, boundaries, body autonomy, social media safety…and how to survive a doctor’s appointment (for both of you!).
This week, we’re breaking down the medical and care essentials every parent should know: how to support your child now, and how things shift as they grow up — whether you’re just entering the world of medical specialists or gearing up for those big transitions like turning 12 or 18.
How to build your child’s care team — and smoothly transition to an adult one
Whether you’re just beginning to build your child’s care team or reevaluating their support as they grow, knowing where to start (and how to keep up) can feel overwhelming. Finding the right therapists, specialists, and medical providers is crucial, as is navigating the DME maze and trying to figure out how to use healthcare to pay for it.
Check out our expert tips on navigating this complicated transition to an adult care team. Read about transitioning to an adult care team.
Medical rights, privacy, consent, what?!
As kids grow, healthcare privacy laws shift — sometimes as early as age 12 — limiting what parents can access. And when they turn 18, everything changes. But consent isn’t just about medical care or sex — it’s about the right to say yes or no in all kinds of situations. It can also be about advocating for our kids’ rights, even during those tough medical appointments.
Learn what consent really means, why it matters for kids with disabilities, and how to prepare for this transition. Read about medical rights and consent at ages 12 and 18, and read about teaching children consent!
🎧 No time to read? We’ve got you. 🎧 Our top parent tips are now bite-sized podcast episodes — perfect for learning on the go! Catch the latest episodes of our AI-powered podcast in our podcast playlist here! This week’s lineup? ▶️ Episode 9: Navigating Durable Medical Equipment with Medi-Cal.
One of our parent members told us, “As a parent, this tool in my corner gives me confidence and peace of mind that I am doing all I can for my child to better advocate for him. This takes the guesswork out of being able to ask for the services my son needs and I know what is available to him without depending on the medical providers or insurance for this info.”
Join us for expert office hours
Do you have specific questions about requesting additional services from Regional Center to meet your family’s needs over the summer? Or do you have other questions about Regional Center, Medi-Cal, IHSS, and other public benefits in California? Join us on Wednesday, May 14 at 12:00 p.m. PT for expert office hours with Undivided Public Benefits Specialist Lisa Concoff Kronbeck. Lisa will be available to answer your questions directly on Zoom. If you’re not an Undivided member yet, get started here to join us for office hours every week.
Check out our these Undivided Conversations happening this week on our Facebook page.
- Consent 101. Join us Friday, May 9, at 12 p.m. PT to hear experts Erika Fundelius, PhD and Amy Machado, MA, BCBA break down how to model body autonomy, set age-appropriate boundaries, and respond when other adults don’t get it.
- How to Build Your Team. Join us Saturday, May 10, at 10 a.m. PT in conversation with some powerhouse MD’s, SLPs, and OT’s as they explain the importance of family-centered planning and collaboration when building a care team for our kids.
- How Public and Private Health Plans Work Together. Join us Sunday, May 11, at 10 a.m. PT with Lisa Concoff Kronbeck and Leslie Lobel, Undivided’s experts in public benefits and insurance, who share their tips on maximizing private insurance and Medi-Cal to cover your child’s needs while saving money on out-of-pocket expenses.
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When you’re building a care team for your child, where should you start? Listen to this #1 tip from Dr. Shafali Jeste at CHLA→
Have questions about Medi-Cal reimbursement, diaper brands, aides at summer camps, or other concerns when parenting a child with disabilities? Join the supportive community in our private Facebook group for parents→
Members of Team Undivided are advocating for students with disabilities across California to make sure legislators understand what’s at stake for our families. Check it out on Instagram→
Find resources for parents, caregivers, providers, and more when you connect with Undivided! Join us on LinkedIn→
