In this day and age, raising a happy, healthy child requires time, patience, love and support. When the normal progression of a child's growth and development is disrupted by a specific medical condition or social event, everyday life for you and your child may become even more challenging. Our social workers, who are a vital part of our health care team, can help you and your child to meet these challenges.
Counseling and Support
Our social workers can help you, the caregiver, to identify, adjust to, and cope with, the stress of daily life caused by your child's medical condition. Whether your need is in the area of parenting skills, family relationships, or direction for helping your child deal with the situation, our social workers will be able to provide expert guidance in these areas.
Medical Information
Because medical terminology can often sound confusing, social workers can help interpret the information into understandable terms. Social workers act as a liaison between the family and the clinical staff. If you have questions or concerns about what you are told, the social worker can help you. Education for the family is available on how to be an informed and active participant in your child's medical care.
School Issues
Outreach education is provided on an ongoing basis to schools and community agencies that provide services to children with a medical condition. Our social workers can help facilitate communication with your child's school on matters related to their medical condition.
Financial Assistance
Insurance is available to most children who do not have medical benefits. Resources for financial assistance include Medicaid, SSI, Jersey Care, Medically Needy, Catastrophic Illness Fund, and New Jersey Special Child Health Services. Our social workers will be able to direct you to the most appropriate resource.
Community Referrals
Finding community resources is another service social workers can provide for you. For example, if you are having trouble keeping clinic appointments because of transportation problems, a social worker can assist you with finding transportation resources. Other community referrals include housing, school issues, visiting nurse arrangements, WIC information and medical equipment referrals.
Social Workers Participate In These Pediatric Programs:
- Allergy/Asthma
- Cardiology
- Cerebral Palsy
- Child Development Center
- Endocrinology/Diabetes
- Gastroenterology
- General Pediatrics
- Hematology/Oncology
- HIV
- Infectious Disease Center
- Neonatal Follow-Up
- Neurology
- Nutrition
- PKU
- Spina Bifida
- Trauma
Our Services Are Provided at No Cost to You
All of the services we've described and more are available to you at no cost.