Accomplishments of the parent support network:
- Created the paid position for parent support
- Established a lending library for parents and patients that includes books, videotapes and Internet access
- Offer family-to-family support and matches for parents with similar experiences (for example, parents of preemies or families affected by childhood cancer).
- Support recruitment of physician specialists and participate in key physician and staff interviews
- Develop hospital-based education services for school-age children
- Provide “expert” testimony on the challenges of raising special children to nurses, physicians, and residents through public forums
- Create Parent Resource Manuals in the NICU and the pediatric center to assist families to cope with hospitalizations.
- Provide pagers to families enabling them to leave the patient area
- Provide support to families of all faiths who experience the loss of an infant or child
- Host events and fundraisers
- Secured Free Internet access and a contract to provide secure web page development for families with acute and long-term illnesses