Vision and Mission

Mission Statement

The Center for the Whole Child delivers a new model of healthcare. This short-term residential setting celebrates the complex diversity of each child. The Center provides assessment and treatment for all chronic conditions of childhood. We fuse medical, psychiatric, educational, family, nutritional and spiritual perspectives.

We strive to understand and support the whole child. The Center completely integrates the child’s family. We empower children and their families through focused education and skill building. After graduation we support continued growth via comprehensive advocacy.

Vision

Here are some simple truths. We have seen them played out time and again. They are the foundation of our vision

All children are born whole.
Given the proper support children are blessed with an amazing ability to heal.
Chronic illness impacts family, friends, emotions, diet, spirituality, learning, and activity.
We must understand the strengths, weaknesses, passions, conflicts, gifts, beliefs, learning style and family of each child to help them heal, recover and adapt.
Proper nutrition provides a substantial foundation for a child’s well being.
The family is a crucial component in all facets of a child’s health.
Parents must become effective and empowered advocates for their child.
Skill building and education are powerful tools for managing chronic illness.
Proper integration of care is essential.
All safe, supportive and effective treatments are based on the needs and preferences of the child and family, not the dictates of the fragmented system.
Intensive residential programs offer a very powerful tool for the assessment and treatment of families.

We have cared for children and their families. 47 years and counting between the two of us. We have helped children attain great heights. Shed tears for those who fell. Experience has been our continual teacher. At times, the lessons were hard. Our perspectives have changed. We can take better care of children with chronic illness. This is what we need to do.

Children and their families will live at the Center for two weeks. A long time in our frantic world. Definitely challenging for a family to arrange. Not nearly as difficult as losing hope.

Children will be loved. Parents will be heard. Caregivers will heal.

How will this happen? The answer is easy. The action is more complicated.

The Center for the Whole Child will provide:

In depth assessment of the whole child including pediatric, medical rehabilitation, psychiatric, educational, nutritional, family systems and social;
Treatment which places equal emphasis on the body, mind, spirit and family;
Increased cohesion and communication of multidisciplinary treatment teams;
Enhanced involvement of families in every phase of care;
Improved access to these pediatric services outside of major metropolitan areas with children’s hospitals;
Integrated coordination of ongoing treatment and aftercare services;
Customized school and treatment recommendations based on the child’s learning style and needs;
Greater anticipation of the pervasive consequences of significant illness in children;
An innovative approach which minimizes unnecessary and costly medical procedures for non acute pediatric illness; and
Focused education to empower parents.

Our practice style is conventional healthcare applied with an eye toward the philosophy of holism – “treat the whole child”. This approach accepts all safe evidence based practices which make sense for the child. This philosophy dates back centuries. It is the basis for all traditional health care approaches. It is the foundation for all modern biology, ecology, and family systems theory.

Holism is about openness, integration and interconnection. The synergy of our health is based on connection. All biological systems lose the ability to balance themselves when disconnected. Every living thing, especially a child, benefits from the synergy of connection. The fragmentation of today’s care stands in stark contrast.

We must treat the whole child and the whole family. Some will say this is a novel medical philosophy. We believe it has always been the foundation for health care. It makes sense. We have simply strayed from the path.

Change is happening. Everywhere. Professional organizations see the value. New research supports this approach. Dr. Mary Jane England, past president of the American Psychiatric Association, has adopted these principles. She facilitates the development of total care systems for children. The concept is catching on. Communities from California to Vermont now use it. It’s an idea whose time has returned.

The Program

The first week involves assessment and basic skill building. The second week emphasizes treatment and parental coaching. The residential model provides the time and fosters the intensity.

The child will attend school. We will teach some of the three R’s. But we will spend more time learning about the needs and learning style of the child. Our program will also have a classroom for siblings. We will listen to them. Teach them. Play with them. The parents are our partners in learning. Some of the time they are students. Other times guides.

The Dream Team

The treatment team works together. Their skills are fused. They provide more as a whole. The team comes to the child. The makeup varies for each child. It is based on the ongoing assessment of the child’s needs. The standard team includes a developmental and behavioral pediatrician, child psychiatrist, child behavioral psychologist, social worker, pediatric nurse, pediatric occupational therapist, educational diagnostic specialist, severe needs special education teacher, mind body therapist, nutritionist and adaptive physical education specialist.

Additional specialists available for consult will include a pediatric neurologist, neuropsychologist, orthopedic surgeon, pediatric physical therapist, pediatric physiatrist, chaplain, manipulation oriented osteopath, acupuncturist and chef.

Our assessments will minimize intrusion and trauma. Members of the treatment team will interview the child and family together. We will videotape the sessions for viewing by other staff. Parents and kids will not have to retell their stories. They won’t move from office to office. The child becomes the focus.

Family Focus

The social worker manages the referral process and admission workup. Each family will have a care manager who guides them from the first phone call through treatment to the last phone call one to two years later. This person is the patient advocate. He will coordinate and filter all communications to the family.

Both parents will need to attend. Family medical leave act makes this possible. The child’s needs make this crucial. If divorced or separated, all custodial parents will be involved. Anything short of this fails the child.

Parents will receive intensive skill building. We will focus on illness management, stress reduction, communication, emotional support, conflict resolution and basic therapeutic massage. They will take classes in nutrition, meal preparation, relaxation skills, patient advocacy, family dynamics, educational support and adaptive recreation/exercise.

Each residence will be equipped with a group kitchen. Under a chef’s guidance, parents will practice meal preparation. Free time will include inspirational movies, therapeutic recreation, group support and team building exercises. Every family will have the option to have their family area video taped for further assessment and direction.

Continuing Care

An important facet of treatment is discharge planning. We will work closely with each family. We will assess their local resources. We will map the child’s and family’s needs. Everyone will be on the same page. We will weave together a tapestry of realistic options and treatments. Parents will be empowered to be strong advocates.

After discharge we will provide ongoing support to our families. We will send out follow-up questionnaires to improve our services. Gradually, we will uncover the whole child.

We will know the questions, the fears, the hurts. More importantly, we will come to know the strengths, the determination, the courage of their life. They will teach us what is important. They will show us best how to help other kids.

Why has no one done this before? There are many reasons. Some valid. Some not so valid. It is not the core question. How can we do this now? This is the key issue. This is where we must focus our energy. This can be done. It is realistic. It is feasible. This is the right thing to do.

We have devised a plan. We know how to serve the needs of chronically ill children. It is a simple idea. Making it a reality is the hard part. Skill. Courage. Determination. Each is vital. Belief in our vision. This is essential!

What do you believe?

Foundation for the Whole Child

Vision and Mission