The Systems & Policy Research Network (SPRNetwork) conducts research to help children and youth with special healthcare needs (CYSHCN), their families, and healthcare systems thrive.
Mission and Vision
Our mission is to improve the health, quality of life, and well-being of all children and youth with special health care needs and their families through rigorous research by:
- Prioritizing lived experience partner expertise
- Accelerating collaborative transformation of systems of care for CYSHCN
- Informing meaningful policy impact
Our vision is that children and youth with special health care needs and their families thrive, with systems and policies designed to work for them.
Our Core Values
- Family Partnership
- Family-Centered Approach
- Collaboration
- Long-Term Impacts
- Scientific Merit
SPRNetwork Impact and Stats
Since 2017, the network has made great strides in advancing research for children and youth with special health care needs. What have we achieved in the past nine years?
- ~$9M in federal funding
- ~$4.7M in external grants
- More than 40 research projects
- Engaged over 100 lived experience partners
- More than 10 million people represented in our primary and secondary research studies
- More than 40 publications
- 108 posters and presentations
- 26 Emerging Investigators
Recent Posts
Announcing Our New Name!
The Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs National Research Network (CYSCHNet) has a new name! We are now called: The Systems & Policy Research Network. The name might be new, but The Systems & Policy Research Network (SPRNetwork) is the same great organization trusted by researchers, policy makers, care systems, clinicians, families of…
2025 Pediatric Complex Care Awards
This year’s Pediatric Complex Care Award winners have been selected and recognized. Lifetime Achievement Awards were presented to Dr. Ellen Roy Elias and Cheri Scott, and the Mid-Career Award was presented to Dr. Rahel Berhane.
Recent Network Publications, Posters and Presentations
With 20 presentations and posters, one publication, and others in press or accepted, 2025 has been a productive year for the Systems & Policy Research Network. Network projects highlight key issues relevant to the health and wellbeing of children and youth with special health care needs and their families. 2025 Publications (as of November 1,…