CDID Projects

The Center for Discovery, Innovation and Development (CDID) develops, innovates and discovers solutions for advancing the lives of children, adolescents, and young adults with special health care needs and their families. CDID transforms health and health care, through creating disruptive positive change by discovery, development, growth, and implementation of innovative care, products, services, collaborations, and ideas. CDID examines and pursues health improvements by embracing accelerated innovation principles and strategies that focus on the human experience to identify needs, and design solutions to meet them.

Incorporate Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

Predictive Health Solutions

Predictive Health Solutions (PHS), a joint venture of CDID and Pinnacle Solutions, improves access to health care, diagnostic algorithms, and enhances patient outcomes. PHS uses patient data and external data sources to develop solutions that better address health care needs. Using machine learning algorithms and artificial intelligence, PHS helps organizations create optimal health for their communities. PHS’s solutions are currently available to organizations in the United States and Canada, with plans to expand to other territories around the world. For more information, visit Predictive Health Solutions

Employ Biometrics and Medical Technology

Rady Children’s Institute for Genomic Medicine (RCIGM)

A collaboration between CDID and RCIGM has led to implementing rapid genome sequencing into NICUs across the RWJBarnabas Health system. With rapid turnaround and delivery of genetic test results to neonatal and pediatric intensive care physicians, care teams can now more accurately and quickly diagnose and treat babies whose course of treatment is unclear. For more information, visit Rady Genomics.

Form a Neurodiverse Workforce and Support Transition to Adulthood

Spectrum Bridges

CDID is in partnership with Spectrum Bridges to develop an online platform to support businesses to hire and sustain employment for people with autism spectrum disorder and various chronic conditions. The platform will provide a unique and transformative training and customer support experience for a variety of organizations and has the potential to impact thousands. For more information, visit Spectrum Bridges

Union County Educational Services Commission

Through our collaboration with Union County Educational Services Commission (UCESC) in NJ, CDID has provided employment training experiences for students with varying special needs. The work readiness program launched at Children’s Specialized Hospital, supports the development of critical skills for future employment through a mentorship model. Our plan is to scale the program to other hospitals, more information, visit Union County Educational Services Commission

Address Social Determinants of Health

Social Determinants of Health Screenings

CDID initiated a fully integrated screening program across all Children’s Specialized Hospital sites to identify social determinants of health (SDOH) for patients and their families. SDOH account for over 80% of health outcomes and CDID is creating a model for how health care providers engage and address patients and their families regarding SDOH to improve patient care. In 2021, thousands of families were screened, and those needing additional help were referred to appropriate services by their health care provider. CDID will provide further impact by expanding screening and referrals to thousands more families who are challenged by food insecurity, housing, transportation, legal issues, among others.

Community Food Bank of New Jersey

The Community Food Bank of New Jersey and CDID are collaborating on the Family Pack Program. Through this program, families who identify as food insecure at specific Children’s Specialized Hospital locations are given shelf stable food during their visit. In the past year, hundreds of families have been supported through this collaboration. CDID, in partnership with CSH, is expanding this program to additional outpatient service sites. For more information, visit Community Food Bank of New Jersey

Moms Helping Moms - Baby essentials

It is estimated that 1 in 3 moms in the United States can not attain diapers for their babies CDID and Moms Helping Moms (MHM), provide free diapers and other essential baby items to underserved families at Children’s Specialized Hospital. CDID is working to expand this program to other organizations that see families who may have similar challenges. For more information, visit Moms Helping Moms

Educate professionals and families in Underserved Geographic Regions

Medical Legal Partnership (LAMP)

CDID and Legal Services of New Jersey have partnered to integrate lawyers into the health care team at Children’s Specialized Hospital to identify and remedy legal issues to improve health outcomes of our patients. Legal needs include areas such as immigration, guardianship, education, domestic violence, expungement, tenant’s rights, bankruptcy, disability benefits and utilities. This new program will expand to various Children’s Specialized outpatient sites, with an additional objective to establish a model that would be replicated in other regions of the United States. For more information, visit Legal Services of New Jersey

Reach Out and Read

CDID has established a Reach Out and Read program for the Children’s Specialized Hospital Primary Care Program. Through this program, primary care providers give free books to families to encourage them to read aloud together with their young children at well primary care visits. CDID is exploring other areas of clinical care that might benefit from a Reach Out and Read program. For more information, visit Reach Out and Read

Advance Virtual Health

Behavioral Health Wait List Engagement

CDID has implemented an engagement program for families on Children’s Specialized Hospital’s behavioral health wait list. Various communications and resources are provided to families waiting for service to help support them as they wait for an appointment. Resources include parent workshops developed by psychologists and licensed clinical social workers, as well as “helpful tips” to encourage good health, nutrition, fitness and safety. CDID will be exploring models to further engage and impact persons who are experiencing challenges accessing behavioral health services.