As we reflect on the past year at The Children’s Home of Pittsburgh, I am filled with deep gratitude and pride. This was a year of meaningful growth in the services we offer, the families we support, and the impact we make across our community. Every day, we witness the strength of children and families navigating complex medical and emotional journeys. Whether it’s a parent learning to care for their child’s medical needs in our Pediatric Specialty Hospital, a child building friendships and confidence in Child’s Way, or a family receiving lifechanging support through our adoption and counseling services, these moments are the heart of our mission.
This year we were honored to receive recognition for our work, including a Trauma Sensitive rating from the Department of Human Services, the Gold Standard in Safe Sleep, and the Silver Level PA Equity in Early Childhood Education Champion Award. These achievements reflect our commitment to excellence, but they also highlight the growing need for accessible, inclusive, and family-centered care.
Chief Executive Officer
This year also marked a significant transition in our organization’s history. After decades of visionary leadership, our long-time CEO, Pamela Keen, retired. Her dedication has shaped The Children’s Home into the trusted, innovative, and family-centered institution it is today. We are deeply grateful for her leadership and the foundation she has laid for our future.
As we look ahead, our path is guided by the findings of our 2024 Community Health Needs Assessment. Our CHNA revealed urgent needs in our community, particularly for children and families with special needs and complex medical issues. It also highlighted the importance of trauma-informed care, smoother transitions from hospital to home, and greater access to pediatric therapy, mental health services, and affordable childcare.
We are committed to meeting these needs head-on. In the coming years, we will expand our services, strengthen our partnerships, and explore new ways to bring care closer to home, especially for underserved and medically fragile populations. We envision a future where every child has access to the therapies, support, and resources they need to thrive, regardless of background, diagnosis, or financial situation.
But we cannot do this alone. We need your continued support.
Your generosity, whether through donations, advocacy, or simply sharing our story, truly makes this work possible. It allows us to say “yes” to more families, to innovate boldly, and to ensure that no child is turned away because of complexity or cost.
Thank you for believing in our mission. Thank you for standing with us. Together, we are building a future where every child has the opportunity to thrive.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Stacy Schesler
Theresa L. Heck Chief Executive Officer Board President
Stacy Schesler,
The Children’s Home of Pittsburgh Board of Directors
Bethany Bartilson Program Relations Manager bbartilson@chomepgh.org
Beverly Brown, M.D. President of Medical Staff/ Hospitalist bbrown@chomepgh.org
Taylor Dozier Director of Development tdozier@chomepgh.org
C. Renee Gwin Director of Therapy Services rgwin@chomepgh.org
Christine Roman-Lantzy, Ph.D. Pediatric VIEW Program Director croman@chomepgh.org
Erika G. Schmitt Director of Counseling and Family Support Services eschmitt@chomepgh.org
Mission Statement & Programs
The Children’s Home of Pittsburgh, established in 1893, is an independent, nonprofit organization with a mission to promote the health and well-being of infants and children through services that establish and strengthen the family.
Our Pediatric Specialty Hospital transitions medically fragile children home safely. Child’s Way daycare promotes clinicians and teachers who support children with health complexities. Our Adoption & Permanency staff works with infants, children in foster care, birthparents, and adoptive families. World-renowned Pediatric VIEW focuses on pediatric cortical visual impairment. Our Counseling services address growing mental health needs. Specialized Therapy Services prioritizes cohesive, comprehensive treatment.
Establishing, Strengthening, and Empowering Families
Pediatric Specialty Hospital Story: Raven
My journey at The Children’s Home was nothing short of amazing. After spending months in the NICU, I had no idea how to properly prepare myself to bring the twins home, especially with feeding tubes. The Children’s Home was the next best thing before home. Everyone from the NPs, doctors, nurses, therapists, and the entire staff made sure we had everything needed for that transition. I’m so grateful for The Children’s Home, it felt like a home away from home.”
- Raven
Meet Raven, Genevieve, & Genesis
For families of medically fragile children, having access to a Pediatric Specialty Hospital like the one at The Children’s Home is not just helpful, it’s essential. These specialized services bridge the gap between intensive hospital care and home life, offering a critical step in the journey for children with complex medical needs. Without this level of care, many families would be left unprepared to take on the responsibilities of caring for their children safely at home.
The Children’s Home provides more than just medical care—it equips parents with the skills, confidence, and resources they need to care for their medically fragile children at home. From hands-on training to emotional support, these services are vital in ensuring a safe and successful transition, giving families the foundation they need to thrive beyond the hospital walls.
Pediatric Specialty Hospital
5,766 total number of patient days
109 medical professionals employed
Our 30-bed Pediatric Specialty Hospital continues to provide family-centered care in a home-like atmosphere. Serving children from birth to age 21, the Pediatric Specialty Hospital provides hospital services for patients transitioning between a tertiary care hospital and home.
In addition to providing high quality nursing care to children, nurses and support staff provide family members with individualized education and skills training on how to care for their child’s medical needs after discharge.
Patient rooms and hospital units are designed to be homelike, reducing stress for children and families, and simulate the home environment for training –all at no expense to families. Furthering this unique model of care is the Family Center, where families can stay on-site for free and practice their new care-giving skills.
184 total patients 24/7 Family and Caregiver Visitation and tr aining
30 average length of stay (in days)
number of families who received a medical bilL
Child’s Way Story: Henry
Henry was 9 years old when he started attending in May 2018, and since then, he has thrived—spending time with kids his age, enjoying his favorite activity of swinging outside on nice days, and receiving valuable speech, occupational, physical, and vision support services. Most importantly, we have peace of mind knowing he is in the hands of a dedicated and skilled staff. Because of their support, Justin and I have been able to continue working, and we are thrilled to have completed our accessible home renovations. Now, Henry can live at home as long as he wants, and we are able to care for him.”
- Janet Okonski, Henry’s mom
Child’s Way
Child’s Way, our daycare center for medically fragile children, offers preschool, daycare, before & after school care and summer programming for children, from birth to age 21. Child’s Way is the first program of its kind in Pennsylvania, and we have served more than 500 children and their families since opening in May 1998.
Child’s Way is a dually-licensed Pediatric Extended Care Center through the Department of Health and Department of Human Services. Child’s Way is a 4-out-of-4 Keystone STARS accredited program, designed for working families as a supplement or alternative to in-home nursing.
At Child’s Way, we provide a comprehensive range of on-site services, including speech, occupational, and physical therapies, as well as the repair and fitting of adaptive equipment like braces and wheelchairs. Our offerings also include Early Intervention services and more. Our inclusive program is priced at $42 per day, with scholarships and financial aid available for families in need.
By fostering a collaborative environment where teachers and pediatric nurses work side-by-side, Child’s Way ensures that children can safely learn and form friendships, while their individual needs and abilities are nurtured and celebrated.
6,424 total number of student days 251 total number of operating days
90% of days covered by Medicaid plans
$48,466 provided in freE care
26 average daily census
Pediatric VIEW
In the fall of 2021, The Children’s Home welcomed the Pediatric VIEW program to deliver specialized care for children diagnosed with cortical visual impairment (CVI), the leading cause of visual impairment among children in developed countries.
Unlike traditional vision disorders that originate in the eyes, CVI is a neurological condition where the brain has difficulty interpreting visual signals, despite the eyes themselves being healthy and structurally normal. This distinction often makes CVI more complex to identify and treat. It is often mistaken for conditions like autism or ADHD, leading to delays in appropriate care. This disparity highlights the critical need for a highly individualized, interdisciplinary approach to ensure accurate diagnosis and effective vision support services.
Pediatric VIEW offers comprehensive evaluation, therapy, and support for children with CVI, combining the expertise of occupational and speech therapists, vision specialists, and neurologists. The program serves not only children from the greater Pittsburgh area but also attracts families from across the country and internationally, many of whom struggle to find adequate CVI-specific care in their home communities.
Through personalized intervention strategies, caregiver education, and advanced assessment tools, Pediatric VIEW empowers children with CVI to better interpret their visual environment and improve their ability to learn, communicate, and navigate the world around them. Full Story Here
Pediatric VIEW Story: Sofia
Pediatric VIEW at The Children’s Home came to do a bedside screening for Cortical Visual Impairment because of Sofia’s neurological health and we were made aware that Sofia was showing onset signs of CVI. Had Pediatric VIEW not intervened, we would have never known that Sofia has CVI, she likely would have been misdiagnosed, and I would not have been able to advocate to get Sofia the services she needed to set her up for success in using her vision. To this day I partner with Pediatric VIEW for advice, assistance with advocacy, and best of all, innovation in the field of CVI.”
– sofia’s mom
84 Range assessments
9 schoOl suPport service contracts
295 consultation hours
6 intensives - NEW
Therapy Services
At The Children’s Home of Pittsburgh, we provide comprehensive physical, occupational, and speech therapy services designed to support each child’s unique developmental journey. Our experienced therapists collaborate with families to create individualized treatment plans that promote progress in mobility, daily living skills, and communication.
Therapy services are offered across inpatient, outpatient, and early intervention settings, allowing flexibility and continuity of care. We specialize in areas such as complex swallowing and feeding, sensory integration, seating and mobility, and augmentative and alternative communication (AAC). Our goal is to help children gain independence, improve function, and reach their fullest potential in a supportive, family-centered environment.
Therapy Services
Story: Cairo
Cairo received physical, occupational, and speech therapy through Child’s Way. The teachers, nurses, and therapists all worked together. The teachers were receptive to the strategies that the therapist taught them. The therapist worked closely with everyone to get Cairo a stander, a gait trainer, and a communication device. The teachers and nurses use the equipment to help him bear weight, learn to walk, and communicate with his class.”
– Cairo’s mom
3 services
Pediatric inpatient, outpatient, and early intervention therapy
6
specialties
Physcial, OcCupational, speEch-language, Developmental, AND FeEding-swalLowing therapy
5 early intervention contractors
Counseling
At The Children’s Home of Pittsburgh, counseling services are thoughtfully designed to nurture the emotional and mental well-being of children, adolescents, adults, and their families. Rooted in compassion and clinical expertise, the center’s team of licensed therapists and counselors offers a broad range of therapeutic options, including individual, couples, and family therapy, as well as facilitate support groups that are carefully tailored to meet each client’s unique experiences and developmental needs.
Whether helping a child process trauma, supporting a family navigating grief, or guiding caregivers through behavioral challenges, the program provides a safe, welcoming space where healing and growth can begin. Services are grounded in evidence-based practices and delivered in a warm, child-centered environment that fosters trust, resilience, and emotional strength.
Mental Health Counseling: Anonymous Story
The support group at The Children’s Home was there for me when I needed it the most. My husband and I struggled for 6+ years with infertility, and one of the only things I was able to look forward to during that time was the support group. The counselors are kind, thoughtful, and empathetic, and they foster a welcoming environment where individuals in all different stages and journeys can feel comfortable opening up and sharing their experiences with people who can truly understand and empathize.”
