The Community Access to Child Health (CATCH) Program: A 25-Year Retrospective

Area of Science:

• Community Pediatrics
• Public Health Initiatives
• Child Health Policy

Background:

• The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Community Access to Child Health (CATCH) program has operated for 25 years.
• CATCH supports pediatricians in developing community-based child health initiatives.
• The program has provided significant funding for planning, resident, and implementation grants.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the long-term impact and sustainability of CATCH-funded community child health projects.
• To assess the influence of the CATCH program on pediatricians' careers and professional development.
• To introduce the new CATCH-On initiative for broader pediatrician engagement.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of program data on grant distribution and project longevity.
• Review of CATCH program's role in fostering collaborations with community partners.
• Assessment of career development outcomes for participating pediatricians.

Main Results:

• 87.5% of CATCH projects remain operational two years post-funding.
• Many projects have achieved sustainability and expanded beyond initial funding.
• CATCH has enhanced pediatricians' skills, networks, and engagement with the AAP.

Conclusions:

• The CATCH program demonstrates significant success in fostering sustainable, community-based child health initiatives.
• CATCH positively impacts pediatricians' careers and professional engagement.
• The CATCH-On initiative offers a scalable model for future community health projects.