Community Benefit Report
2013
Akron Children’s Hospital 2013 Community Report
Dear Friends, At Akron Children’s Hospital, our mission of service is our roadmap, and we follow that mission by being true to our promises – to treat every child as we would our own, to treat others as we would like to be treated, and to turn no child away for any reason. We were privileged to serve a record number of patients in 2013, and every member of our staff strives to do all we can to support our patients, our families and our community. One of the ways we focus our efforts is by taking measure of our community’s health needs. In 2013, we joined regional
healthcare partners, community-based organizations, key stakeholders and others to conduct a Community Health Needs Assessment. The insights thus gained are being used to implement programs that address the most pressing needs identified. You can read more about how we are tackling the health issues facing children and families in this report. Another way we serve the children of our community is through the contributions of our staff members as they participate in activities beyond the boundaries of our Akron and Mahoning Valley campuses. In 2013, Akron Children’s invested $99.9 million in community benefit programs and services. You’ll see in the following pages some of the ways our healthcare providers reach out to help children in need. Take a few moments to get to know them, and let their stories bring home the impact of the valuable services they provide. We have an important opportunity before us to shape the future of pediatric healthcare, and we plan to be at the forefront of developing new approaches and innovative solutions. By staying true to our promises while planning for the future, we plan to be ready to seize those opportunities and continue to do what we do best – care for our region’s children to ensure they have a bright future ahead.
What is Community Benefit? Community benefit is the measure of the investments we make in the well-being of children, as well as the positive impact we have in the communities where we live and work. It includes the resources we devote to programs, services and activities that meet these identified community needs:
• The community outreach, education and wellness programs we engage in for which we are not reimbursed.
• Improve access to healthcare services.
• The costs of education and training for medical professionals, students and other community caregivers.
• Enhance public health of the community. • Advance medical or health knowledge. • Relieve or reduce the burden of government or other community efforts. Our community benefit investment includes: • The losses we incur to cover the costs of providing medical care to patients whose families are unable to pay for all or part of their care.
• The gap between the cost of providing care to Medicaid patients and the reimbursements received for those services.
• The costs of funding research projects, advocacy programs and the volunteers and in-kind donations we make to support our community partners and other non-profit organizations. In sum, it’s the total of our investments in the form of time, resources and funding to enhance the health and well-being of children and families.
Sincerely,
William H. Considine President and CEO Akron Children’s Hospital
Akron Children’s Hospital 2013 Community Report | Page 1
Community Health Needs Assessment Supporting a healthy community Akron Children’s Hospital made a promise 125 years ago to treat every child as our own. One way we keep this promise is by listening to those we serve. In 2013,
Children’s conducted formal community health needs assessments in the Mahoning Valley and also with our partners at Akron General Health System, Summa Health
System and Kent State University to identify the top pediatric health needs and challenges impacting families in our communities. The study revealed multiple areas of concern in Medina, Portage, Stark, Summit and Wayne counties, as well as Trumbull, Mahoning and Columbiana counties. After a comprehensive prioritization process, we identified three system-wide priorities – asthma, behavioral health and diabetes. An additional health priority was identified for Mahoning County, which had the highest rate of infant mortality among those involved in the study. In Mahoning County, the overall rate of infant mortality or death before 1 year of age was 9.4 per 1,000 live births, which is 2.5 percent above the national average. “The results gave us a snap-shot of health issues our community is currently facing, which allows us to implement strategies to help now, when people need it most,” said Bernett L. Williams, vice president of external affairs. “To make immediate and measurable improvements, we created multi-disciplinary implementation teams that are working with various external partners to address the identified health needs.” By coupling outreach efforts with existing programs and services, Children’s can better support the whole community, not just the people who walk through our doors. For example: Asthma: We’re educating local healthcare professionals on protocols for assessing asthma patients and implementing standardized treatment plans. In the next 3 years, we aim to substantially reduce the burden of asthma for our patients, their families and our community.
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Behavioral health: Our aim is to improve access and quality of evidence-based behavioral health services for children and adolescents. We’re investigating opportunities to offer telepsychiatry services to enhance the patient experience. Additionally, we’re expanding psychiatry services in Mahoning County. Diabetes: We’re working to increase awareness of Type II Diabetes Mellitus through early detection and improving access to care for children at risk. Through various partnerships, we’re also creating a baseline system to support community efforts in combating childhood obesity. Infant mortality: We’re promoting and educating families on the importance of safe sleep practices for newborns, as well as the benefits of breast feeding. Specifically, Akron Children’s Mahoning Valley is partnering with the Mahoning-Youngstown Birth Outcome Equity Team, area hospitals, public health and other agencies to provide education and support services for new families to reduce infant mortality. We’re also educating healthcare providers on preventing premature birth recurrence specifically through 17 Progesterone education. Akron Children’s was founded on the principle of serving community needs. With that in mind, we are committed to conducting a community health needs assessment every three years to help improve the health of children and families.
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Research, Advocacy & Community Partnerships We pursue pediatric research, advocate for children, and build community partnerships that advance the well-being of families and the neighborhoods they call home.
Helping abused children share their story. When a child suffers physical or sexual abuse, a comprehensive assessment is crucial to begin appropriate treatment and prevent further trauma. Our Mahoning Valley Child Advocacy Center provides a child-centered, safe environment for that assessment. Child-sized furniture, bright colors and age-appropriate language help give each child a safe place to tell their story. “It’s probably the worst day of a child’s life,” explained Andrea Mistovich, the center’s coordinator. “But from here, a child can start healing. When abuse is suspected, a multidisciplinary team meeting is scheduled with our physician, nurse practitioner and social worker as well as a victim advocate and a Child Protective Services representative.” Akron Children’s serves as the fact finder in the process, providing medical investigation and an interviewer. Each child meets with a staff member specially trained in interviewing children who are victims of abuse. Our team is not only advocating for these kids through very difficult times; they’re also collaborating with service, assistance and law enforcement organizations to best meet the needs of these children. The center serves Mahoning, Ashtabula, Trumbull and Columbiana counties.
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Sharing a commitment to community medicine When Dr. Joel Davidson, a pediatrician with Locust Pediatric Care Group, came to Akron Children’s as a third-year resident, he chose to stay because of the hospital’s mission to serve vulnerable populations. “I always envisioned myself doing community medicine,” he said.
Health Professional Education
Dr. Davidson cares for children with complex needs, refugees, and those facing the trauma and stress of poverty and foster care. He also trains today’s residents to do the same. As a member of our pediatric residency program faculty and as our Community Pediatrics Residency Education Coordinator, he facilitates a four-week rotation for all firstyear interns. “We teach them to go into the
community and care for patients and families outside the hospital walls.” As part of that training, he teaches young doctors to ask probing questions that go beyond ear infections and tummy aches. “Do families have enough money for food and rent at the end of the month? Do they feel safe at home? When the answers are ‘no,’ we’re ready with resources,” said Dr. Davidson. He sends all community health residents to Community Legal Aid Services, Inc., to work with lawyers. “We’ll get a landlord to build a ramp or advocate for kids to receive the school services they’re eligible for. We teach our residents to address these types of social determinants of health.” Our approach to resident training is a commitment to health professional education and to the communities that tomorrow’s doctors will serve.
We offer a uniquely collaborative, community-based approach to training tomorrow’s physicians, nurses and allied health professionals..
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Community Programs and Services. We’re improving families’ access to services and enhancing community health through education, injury prevention and wellness initiatives.
Keeping student athletes healthy and safe Last year, Mogadore running back Brandon Berry injured his back during a Friday night football game. Luckily, his high school is one of eight that receives free athletic training services through our Sports Medicine Center. Brandon consulted Akron Children’s athletic trainer Steve Lutz after practice the following Monday. “I immediately started him on a treatment program of strength drills, ice baths and heat therapy,” said Steve. “He ended up rushing for 1,800 yards that season.” Our athletic training program provides injury prevention training and on-site care when an athlete gets hurt. “Most schools are not able to afford the cost of athletic training services for their sports teams,” explained Jennifer Fitch, operations manager for our Sports Medicine Center. “We really value the chance to partner with communities and schools to help these young athletes.” During track season, Brandon injured his hamstring in a 100-meter race. Steve examined him and referred him for outpatient therapy in our Sports Medicine Center. “I reinjured the muscle a week later, so Steve and I rehabbed it during the football preseason, and I was back in shape by our first game. If he hadn’t been there, I probably wouldn’t be playing now,” said Brandon. Through the program, athletes have immediate access to sports medicine specialists. Without an athletic trainer on hand, high school coaches are burdened with tasks they are not trained for, such as assessing and managing injuries, which can put students at risk for playing before they’re ready.
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Unreimbursed Medicaid & Uncompensated Care We treat all children as if they were our own and turn no child away, regardless of a family’s ability to pay.
Helping children to thrive. Lucas Maghes entered the world with a racing heart. “His
reimbursed or covered. In Lucas’ case, the care
heart was going 300 beats a minute,” recalled his mother
team has involved coordination of a developmental
Amy. “He was rushed to Akron Children’s NICU, where
pediatrician, gastrointestinal specialist, speech and
they found a hole in his heart. We could have lost him.”
occupational therapy, genetics testing, nurses and more.
Unfortunately, that was just the first of Lucas’ challenges. Within his first year, Lucas also developed swallowing,
continues to receive other services from Akron Children’s
vision, speaking and behavior problems and was showing
Hospital, doctors and therapists–including a prescription
signs of delays in development. Children like Lucas with
thickener that he needs to safely swallow liquids.
complex medical cases are some of the most difficult to treat. As a network provider for the Bureau for Children with Medical Handicaps, Akron Children’s cares for many of these children and provides extensive testing and treatment needed even if the services are not entirely
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Lucas also sees a cardiologist on an as-needed basis. He
“They are huge advocates for children with special needs,” Amy said. “We didn’t know where to turn, but they gave us a plan. They’re committed to seeing my son succeed.”
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2013 Total Community Benefit $99.9 million Community programs and services
2010-2013 Community Benefit
Spending by Investment Category
2010 2011 2012 2013
Our community benefit activities align with
Health professional education
of financial circumstance. Beyond our
Programs to train professionals, residents, fellows, students, interns and nurses
activities to foster sustainable change in the communities we call home. Our outreach efforts target improving the health of children through prevention, treatment and research; increasing access to care; and providing health and wellness education – all geared toward bettering the quality of life for children and their families.
$5.2
$5.3
$6.8
$3.1
$3.9
$6.0
$7.5
$1.5
$1.7
$3.6
$1.0
$63.4
$74.7
$92.4
$84.6*
$85.5
$107.3
$99.9
Health education, injury prevention and wellness initiatives to improve the health of children
our mission to treat every child, regardless primary mission, we are fully engaged in
$4.5
Research, advocacy and community partnerships
Pediatric research programs, advocacy programs and community-building activities, financial assistance and services given to other non-profit organizations and partners
Unreimbursed Medicaid and uncompensated care
Unreimbursed Medicaid is the difference between the costs of providing care to Medicaid patients and the reimbursement received
TOTALS
$72.5
Dollars in Millions
* Due to changes in Medicaid reimbursement, the hospital received increased payments for some inpatient and physician services. This resulted in a reduction of unreimbursed Medicaid and uncompensated care when compared to 2012. Akron Children’s Hospital 2013 Community Report | Page 12
Akron Children’s Hospital 2013 Community Report | Page 13
Child Advocacy Programs – 2013 Community Benefit Report Advanced Burn Life Support (ABLS) is an education course to provide nurses, fire fighters, EMTs, paramedics and physicians with the ability to assess and stabilize patients with serious burns during the first critical hours following injury. 330-543-8813
Asthma Education Program is offered by Akron Children’s asthma nurse educators to help children and their parents/caregivers learn to manage their condition. Sessions are held in Akron, 330-543-8585 and the Mahoning Valley, 330-729-1387
Aluminum Cans for Burned Children (ACBC) raises money for education, support and non-medical items not covered by insurance, such as protective clothing and therapy equipment. Staffed by volunteers from Akron Children’s Hospital, fire departments and recycling company Annaco, ACBC also holds social events for burn survivors. 330-543-8813
Bereavement Services – HEAL: Helping Each Other After Loss supports families who have experienced the loss of a baby through ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, still birth or neonatal death. 330-480-3132
ACBC Burn Camp is an annual summer camp for burn survivors. Under the supervision of hospital staff, campers participate in fun activities including the popular Fire Truck Day, featuring trucks and staff from local fire departments. 330-543-8813 American Heart Association Akron Children’s is an AHA Training Center for courses in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), Basic Life Support (BLS) for healthcare providers, and Heartsaver First Aid CPR/ AED. 330-543-4067 Amish and Mennonite Burn Survivors Support Group is sponsored by the Akron Children’s Paul and Carol David Foundation Burn Institute and ACBC. Survivors share information and learn to cope with everyday problems at quarterly meetings throughout the Amish community. 330-543-8813 Annual Remembrance Service at the Holidays is open to anyone who has lost a loved one and offers grief support to the community. Held in December. 330-543-3343 Ask Children’s™ is a health information and physician referral phone line staffed by Akron Children’s pediatric registered nurses, provided at no charge, and answering 100,000 calls a year. 330-543-2000
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Bereavement Services – Individual and Family Counseling provides individual and family counseling to families who have lost a loved one. 330-543-8837 Brain Injury Program provides complete assessment for infants, children and teens suffering from a severe head injury, such as a concussion or brain trauma. 330-543-8260 Burn Institute Back-to-School Re-entry Program educates classmates and teachers about what a child with a burn injury has experienced and why their appearance may be different. Akron Children’s nurses ease the acceptance of burn victims into classrooms by presenting information on burn treatment and prevention. 330-543-8813 Burn Survivors’ Support Group provides an environment for exchanging ideas and acquiring information to cope with daily problems. Meets monthly at Akron Children’s Burn Center. Sponsored by Akron Children’s Paul and Carol David Foundation Burn Institute and ACBC. 330-543-8813 Burn Treatment and Management Lecture is adapted to specific audiences, such as Emergency Department personnel, paramedic students, first responders, radiology students, child life students, nursing students, and many other professional groups. 330-543-8813 Camp ED Bear is an annual summer camp for children ages 6-16 with cancer and blood disorders, offering children with similar diagnoses the chance to meet and share activities and support under the supervision of hospital staff and volunteers. 330-543-8904
Camp Wonderlung is an annual summer camp for children ages 6-12 who are under a physician’s care for asthma and require daily medication. With the help of camp coordinators, campers participate in activities while learning how to control their asthma and properly take their medications. 330-543-8585 Cancer Survivorship Program helps minimize/cure late effects caused by childhood cancer and/or its treatment. The program provides regular screenings and individualized treatment plans to help survivors transition into adulthood, plus serves as a resource for their primary care doctors. 330-543-8580 Celiac Disease Support Group is a family-oriented support group that meets monthly to offer information and networking opportunities. 330-608-8436 Chaplaincy Services includes full-time and on-call chaplains and volunteers from many faith traditions to help patient families deal with suffering and loss, as well as celebrations. The Akron Children’s Chapel is open for prayer and meditation 24 hours a day and offers religious services on weekends. 330-543-8254 Child Advocacy Center, Mahoning Valley provides medical and forensic evaluations for children and teens who may have been physically or sexually abused, and complete medical evaluations for kids in foster care. The center is also involved in community outreach initiatives. 330-746-9150 Children At Risk Evaluation Center (CARE) evaluates and initiates treatment for children of suspected physical or sexual abuse and neglect. A team of doctors, nurses and social workers see patients referred by physicians, law enforcement agencies, child protection agencies and other community agencies, as well as when abuse is suspected for a child admitted to an inpatient unit. 330-543-8453 Children’s Home Care Group provides an alternative to a hospital stay for children who need specialized care. The goal is to provide quality medical care while easing the financial burden on families. 330-543-5000
Children With Short Bowel Syndrome Support Group provides support, information and networking. 330-543-8651 Cleft Palate Family Network offers monthly meetings to provide support, information and parent-to-parent networking for families of children with cleft lip or palate and other craniofacial abnormalities. 330-543-8175 Community Outreach, Education and Support Center provides education and support for children and their families in the Mahoning Valley. Programs meet criteria of nationally accredited disease management programs, as well as Akron Children’s criteria and monitoring requirements. Community health outreach includes asthma and diabetes education and support, school programs, support groups and other initiatives. 330-729-1387 Compassionate Friends is a self-help organization offering support to bereaved families who have experienced the death of a child. The group meets monthly and is led by parent facilitators. 330-699-5054 or 330-953-2467 Cribs for Kids Akron Children’s and Safe Kids Summit County provide Graco Pack ’n Plays® at a discount to eligible families. Parents must have a referral. The program covers the use of safe sleep areas and tips to reduce the risk of sleeprelated injury and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). 330-543-8942 Cystic Fibrosis Patient Assistance Programs help patients who have trouble paying for their medical care and medications. 330-543-8885 Cystic Fibrosis Support offers support, literature, information, education and networking for CF patients and their families. 330-543-8515 Diabetes Camp is an annual summer camp for children ages 7-15 who have Type 1 diabetes and are under the care of the Akron Children’s Center for Diabetes and Endocrinology. Campers share fun, experiences, and feelings about their disease while staff oversee blood-sugar monitoring and medication administration. 330-543-2267 Estelle F. Kaufman Sick Child Care Center provides a quiet, safe place for mildly ill children to stay while their parents are working. 330-543-4000
Family Child Learning Center is a collaborative effort of Akron Children’s and Kent State University, providing family-centered developmental services through a nationally recognized research and training program. The staff works with young children with developmental concerns and disabilities and their families, trains graduate/undergraduate students and presents workshops for parents and professionals. 330-633-2055 Family Resource Center is a pediatric consumer health library for patients, families, health professionals, service providers and the community. The FRC is a member of the National Network of Libraries of Medicine. 330-543-8180 Financial Counseling is offered to patient families when they do not have insurance coverage or are underinsured. Financial counselors help families qualify for public assistance programs or payment plans. 330-543-2455 Fragile X Program provides medical evaluations and developmental/behavioral services to identify/treat problems associated with Fragile X syndrome. Akron Children’s established the first program in Ohio and maintains a resource library for families, educators and healthcare professionals. 330-543-8050 Future Fitness Clubs are for children ages 8-13 to address childhood obesity through low-cost sessions featuring fun, non-competitive activities. Promoting healthy habits, and safe, gradual weight loss. Held at fitness centers throughout northeast Ohio. Akron, 330-543-2126; Mahoning Valley, 330-729-1387 Genetic Center offers genetic education for professionals and the general public. 330-543-8792 Good Mourning Grief Support Group offers six-week sessions led by trained professionals to help children and parents deal with feelings of grief resulting from the death of a loved one. 330-543-3343 Grandparent Support Group is a grief support series to help grandparents deal with the loss of a grandchild. 330-543-3343 Health Education Advocacy & Law (HEAL) – Medical Legal Partnership serves the needs of indigent patients in the Locust Pediatric offices by providing legal education and aid. 330-543-8530
Healthy Weight Clinic is a weight management program for children and teens struggling with weight issues. It encourages safe weight loss by teaching habits needed to maintain good health. 330-543-8260 Help Me Grow is a community-based service offering inter-disciplinary, family-centered programs for expectant parents, infants and toddlers. An Ohio Department of Health program, it provides health and developmental services to help children start school healthy and ready to learn. Early intervention teams perform free evaluations for children younger than age 3, connects families with service providers, and provides home visits and individualized family service plans. 330-543-8315 Hemophilia School Visits explains the special needs of students with blood disorders to classmates, teachers and school employees. 330-543-8905 Hemostasis and Thrombosis Center offers an outreach nurse educator to develop programs for patients, families and communities. First Step is for parents of newly diagnosed children with bleeding disorders, Teen Extreme focuses on teen issues and transition to adult care, and the Women’s Task Force raises awareness about bleeding disorders affecting women. Activities include home/self-infusion classes, school/ daycare presentations, health fair displays and publication of training manuals. 330-543-8905 Juvenile Firestoppers Program is offered by the Akron Children’s Burn Institute with Akron firefighters to educate children who engage in fire-setting activities. Free classes are offered for children ages 3-17. Initial screenings determine if additional services/psychological evaluations are needed. Participants may be enrolled by parents or police/court referral. 330-543-8813 Programs that address a health indicator identified by the 2013 Community Health Needs Assessment
Programs that are reportable community benefits
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Kamp Kaleidoscope is a free day camp for children ages 6-16 who are dealing with the loss of a loved one. The camp offers age-appropriate activities led by professionals to help children develop coping skills. 330-543-3343 Kids’ Cancer Survivors Day is an annual celebration for former and current childhood cancer and blood-related disorder patients to commemorate each survivor’s personal victory. 330-543-8730 Kids with Character is offered by Akron Children’s in partnership with the Akron Beacon Journal to recognize students who exemplify important character traits. Any child ages 9-18 living in Summit, Portage, Wayne, Stark and Medina Counties is eligible. One student is featured each week in the Akron Beacon Journal. 330-543-3897 Kohl’s Fit & Healthy Kids is a program in which Akron Children’s partners with local schools and after-school care agencies to help kids in grades 3-6 make smart decisions about food and physical activity. Language Access Services assist families with limited English proficiency, or who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind or visually impaired. 330-543-3036 Library Liaison Health Education Program provides age-appropriate health and safety presentations during various library reading programs. 330-729-1387 Lifestyle Challenge is a program that addresses “at risk” children who are overweight or who have pre-, Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. 330-729-1387 Myelodysplasia Program is a multidisciplinary clinic of pediatric subspecialists and allied health professionals to deliver the best outcomes for patients and families. 330-543-8050
NEOMED Buddy Program matches first-year medical students from Northeast Ohio Medical University with patients in Akron Children’s Showers Family Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders. Students offer support while learning about the psychosocial impact of chronic illness on pediatric patients. 330-543-3278 Neonatal Follow-Up Clinic in the NeuroDevelopmental Science Center monitors high-risk infants with developmental disorders from birth to age 2. The center coordinates referrals to community resources to provide the best possible developmental outcomes for the child. 330-543-8050
Oncology Teen Support is a cancer support group for teens to share camaraderie, information and advocacy opportunities. 330-543-3589
Pediatric Education for Professionals (PEP) provides pediatric training for students at local paramedic schools. 330-543-8452 Pediatric Heartsavers CPR Course, offered by Akron Children’s Hospital staff, provides parents and other caregivers with important information necessary to handle emergency situations. 330-543-4067 Precious Parents is a pregnancy and infant loss support group run by parents offering telephone and email support, newsletters, seminars and an annual “Pregnancy After Loss” series. 330-543-3343
Neonatal Resuscitation Program is a national program co-sponsored by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Heart Association. It teaches resuscitation skills to healthcare professionals involved in the care of newborns. 330-543-8975
Palliative Care Akron Children’s Haslinger Family Pediatric Palliative Care Center provides care to children, ages prenatal to young adult, who have complex, chronic or serious conditions, enhancing quality of life in partnership with cure-directed care. 330-543-3343
Psychiatric Intake Response Center (PIRC) is a 24/7 mental health referral service provided by Akron Children’s and community partners. Licensed independent social workers and professional clinical counselors perform a preliminary phone screening to determine the level of care needed and offer referrals. 330-543-7472
NeuroDevelopmental Science Center Early Childhood Program offers a thorough developmental assessment for children from birth to 5 years old who appear to have problems in more than one area of development. 330-543-8050
Parent Advisory Council (PAC) was formed by parents and the Akron Children’s Family-centered Care Committee. Staffed by parent volunteers, the PAC promotes family-centered care, provides training to professional staff, reviews materials to be shared with families, participates on hospital committees, provides input on the development of programs/services, and offers emotional support to patient families. 330-543-3072
Reach Out & Read is a national program fostering early literacy as a standard part of pediatric primary care. Endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the program helps pediatricians offer parents/caregivers ageappropriate books and suggestions during well-child visits. Akron, 330-543-8068; Mahoning Valley, 330-729-1387
Nursing Clinical Instructor Program encourages partnerships between affiliated nursing schools and Akron Children’s to give students a valuable learning experience in their pediatric rotation. 330-543-3088 Nurturing Spring: A Breastfeeding Mothers Support Group is a free program led by a board-certified lactation consultant to provide assistance and support for mothers and mothers-to-be. 330-543-4531 Oak Adoptive Health Center prepares and educates families involved with domestic, international and special-needs adoption. Staff also provide medical history evaluation, and psychological and developmental evaluation. 330-543-3550 Office of Pediatric Global Health provides clinical education opportunities in domestic and international locations, providing medical care to underserved populations. 330-543-3242
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Ohio Region VI Coordinated Sickle Cell Program is funded by Akron Children’s and the Ohio Department of Health to improve the lives of those affected by, or at risk for, hemoglobin disorders. The program sees patients, performs newborn screenings, offers education, personal/career/financial counseling and a monthly clinic. It coordinates activities of sickle cell service agencies throughout Region VI and provides education programs for the public, at-risk groups and healthcare providers. 330-543-3521
Parent Mentor Program connects parents of children with health concerns with other parents who have similar medical experiences. The program provides emotional support and information for families of children with special needs or disabilities, and offers workshops, referrals to community services and family social events. 330-543-3072 Parents Energized Toward Healing is a free support series for bereaved parents led by professionals and bereaved parents. The group meets regularly for eight sessions. 330-543-8837 Patient & Family Experience Committee is a multi- disciplinary group that meets regularly to support Akron Children’s familycentered approach to pediatric healthcare. The committee initiates programs and ensures hospital processes are focused on meeting the needs of patients and families. 330-543-3534
Regional Infant Hearing Program offers free services to families with infants and toddlers who are hearing impaired. Services are offered in collaboration with Help Me Grow and other community resources. 330-543-8264 Remembrance Services are held in March, June, September and December to commemorate patients who have died. 330-543-8254 RESPECT is a teen dating violence prevention program provided free to Summit and Stark County high schools, funded by the Ohio Department of Health and the Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services. It trains student leaders to raise awareness about teen-dating violence and sexual assault, and trains educators to meet implementation requirements of Ohio’s 2009 Tina Croucher Act. 330-620-4355
Rett Syndrome Support Group meets monthly to provide support, information and parent-to-parent networking for families who have daughters with this nervous system disorder. 330-543-3072
SIDS Support Information provides emotional and informational support to families who have lost a child to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome or other infant death. 330-543-8915 or 1-800-477-7437
Safe Kids Summit County and Safe Kids Mahoning Valley are coalitions of community agencies to promote strategies preventing childhood injuries through community awareness, education and public policy changes. They develop/evaluate community projects to prevent unintentional injuries. The Safe Kids InStore sells quality, low-cost equipment such as bike helmets, sports pads, life jackets, safety seats and more. Summit County, 330-543-8942; Mahoning Valley, 330-729-1387
Special Needs Parent Support Group meets monthly to provide support for parents of children with all types of special needs. 330-543-3072
Safe Sitter is a nationally recognized babysitter training course offered to boys and girls ages 11-13. Akron, 330-543-8942; Mahoning Valley, 330-729-1387 School and Community Oncology Outreach Program (SCOOP) raises awareness in schools and communities about childhood cancer. The staff advocates for children by supporting the social and academic needs of pediatric cancer patients and facilitating school re-entry after long absences, helping to establish classroom accommodations and individualized educational plans. 330-543-8905 School Health Services support the academic success of children through health promotion, education and child advocacy. School Health serves as a liaison among school staff, family, community and healthcare providers. Services include first-aid, emergency and acute healthcare needs, medication administration, disease prevention and wellness programs, community outreach and education. 330-543-3990 Shadow A Nurse promotes careers in nursing by offering high school students ages 16 and older a chance to experience the profession first-hand. The program is coordinated by the Northeast Ohio Nursing Initiative and is offered jointly with Akron General Health System and Summa Health System. 330-543-8820 Sickle Cell Support Group meets monthly to provide support for those affected by sickle cell disease. 330-543-3521
S.T.A.B.L.E. Program is the most widely distributed and implemented neonatal education program to focus exclusively on the post-resuscitation/pre-transport stabilization care of sick infants. 330-543-8975 Teen Outreach Medical professionals provide career education, guidance and observation opportunities for junior and senior high school students interested in healthcare fields. 330-729-1387 Tips to Grow By is a series of healthcare and child-rearing fact sheets for parents, available online or at Akron Children’s locations. Tips are reviewed regularly to ensure the information reflects the latest ideas in medicine, psychology and safety. 330-434-3145 Turner Syndrome Support Group provides support for the girls, women and families touched by Turner Syndrome. Akron Children’s holds a free education program for girls and women with Turner Syndrome. 330-357-2394 The Violence and Injury Prevention Task Force is an initiative led by Akron Children’s in collaboration with family and child welfare agencies in Summit County. It presents an annual symposium for professional and community groups to raise awareness and promote development of youth violence prevention programs. 330-543-8942 Programs that address a health indicator identified by the 2013 Community Health Needs Assessment
Programs that are reportable community benefits
Akron Children’s Hospital 2013 Community Report | Page 17
Promises 1. T reat others as we would like to be treated. 2. T reat every child as we would our own. 3. T urn no child away for any reason.
Mission Statement Akron Children’s Hospital is dedicated to improving the health of children through outstanding quality patient care, education, advocacy, community service, and discovery.
Inside Children’s Blog
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