(a) The Commissioner of Social Services, in collaboration with the Commissioners of Public Health and Children and Families, shall establish a child health quality improvement program for the purpose of promoting the implementation of evidence-based strategies by providers participating in the HUSKY Health program to improve the delivery of and access to children’s health services. Such strategies shall focus on physical, dental and mental health services and shall include, but need not be limited to: (1) Methods for early identification of children with special health care needs; (2) integration of care coordination and care planning into children’s health services; (3) implementation of standardized data collection to measure performance improvement; and (4) implementation of family-centered services in patient care, including, but not limited to, the development of parent-provider partnerships. The Commissioner of Social Services shall seek the participation of public and private entities that are dedicated to improving the delivery of health services, including medical, dental and mental health providers, academic professionals with experience in health services research and performance measurement and improvement, and any other entity deemed appropriate by the Commissioner of Social Services, to promote such strategies. The commissioner shall ensure that such strategies reflect new developments and best practices in the field of children’s health services. As used in this section, “evidence-based strategies” means policies, procedures and tools that are informed by research and supported by empirical evidence, including, but not limited to, research developed by organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners and the Institute of Medicine.

(b) Not later than July 1, 2008, and annually thereafter, the Commissioner of Social Services shall report, in accordance with § 11-4a, to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to human services, public health and appropriations, and to the Council on Medical Assistance Program Oversight on (1) the implementation of any strategies developed pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, and (2) the efficacy of such strategies in improving the delivery of and access to health services for children enrolled in the HUSKY Health program.