This year marks the fifth anniversary of the March of Dimes Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Family Support Program at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin. This program has brought support and information to thousands of families impacted by prematurity and birth defects. …Continue reading this post
Category Archives: Advocacy
Take back campaign aims to protect our water systems and prevent drug abuse
Every year millions of medications are prescribed in the U.S. that, for a variety of reasons, never get taken by patients. Sometimes a doctor changes a prescription, or a patient simply doesn’t take all of his or her medication.
Whatever the reason, these drugs are a serious threat …Continue reading this post
Like our new Facebook page and join the conversation
We are very excited to announce that Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin has a new home on Facebook. Our new Facebook page provides expanded opportunities for you to:
- Stay connected to news about clinical care, advocacy, research and education from Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin.
- Receive updates and information on children’s health and safety issues.
- Share your stories of hope, recovery and healing.
We invite old friends, new friends …Continue reading this post
We’re investing in our community so our children will be the healthiest in the nation
One of my responsibilities at Children’s Hospital and Health System is to collect and report community benefit data for the system. Every year I am amazed how much our organization gives back to the community. The support and resources provide such a positive impact on the well-being of Wisconsin children. …Continue reading this post
Baldwin Family in Washington, D.C. for Family Advocacy Day
The Baldwin family visited the Lincoln Memorial this morning.
The Baldwin family of Milwaukee is in Washington, D.C. and will meet with legislators on Tuesday, July 26, to discuss the importance of children’s health care issues. In 2009, Jonathan Baldwin and his friends were the victims of an armed robbery. Jonathan was shot seven times and transported to Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin in critical condition.
Millions of children in the U.S. require special care at children’s hospitals to address their health challenges. The budget crisis of 2011 is real and requires serious action, but it must be done in a way that does not threaten long-term negative impact on the state of children’s health care by decreasing access to care …Continue reading this post
I’m 18 Now!!
Where did the time go? This is what we as parents ask ourselves as our child turns 18. An adult – no way – but not a child either. The new adult often feels empowered, anxious to make decisions, and to determine their own course. For example, having to sign a release of information to allow mom and/or dad to talk to the doctor is a real eye opener for both the adult child and for parents.
As in all of life, adulthood is not an event but a process that starts way before age 18. By slowly giving and trusting your child with age-appropriate responsibilities, turning 18 becomes just another step in growing up. However, there are some big time legal changes that all teens need to be aware of. Below is a short list of suggested discussion points about adult rights and responsibilities. Good Luck!
- You are legally responsible for your actions – please think before you act.
- You can own things; a car, a credit card – money is needed to pay for these things.
- You can vote – a right many other countries do not have.
- If you break the law you will pay the fine or perhaps go to jail.
- Risk taking behavior is part of early adulthood – be aware.
- I am here to help you make good choices – I will listen.
The State of Wisconsin Bar Association is revising its publication, On Being 18. You can currently only find it on-line.
~ Darcia Behrens, LCSW, supervisor/clinician, Family Services, Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
One Year Anniversary of a Smoke Free Wisconsin
Today marks the one year anniversary of a Smoke Free Wisconsin!
Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin has been supporting SmokeFree Wisconsin since the beginning. A big thanks to Children’s Hospital employees and our community advocates for helping get this law passed! We know a smoke free Wisconsin makes a positive difference for our kids.
And our advocacy efforts continue to make a difference! Governor Scott Walker issued the following statement on the upcoming anniversary of the state’s smoking ban. “Although I …Continue reading →
How and when to advocate for your child with special health care needs
When my daughter was born, 19 years ago, she was whisked off to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Children’s Hospital due to concerning respiratory and digestive symptoms. We quickly learned that she had many special health care needs that would require us to learn some new parenting skills. I was told “You’ll have to speak for your daughter as she will not be able to speak up for herself.” My response was, “I don’t want to!”
Advocating was not something that I had planned to due when I read the baby books during my pregnancy. While I learned these skills because of Emily’s special needs, any …Continue reading →
Help me advocate for your child
Thirty-six lab coats hang outside our hospital to raise awareness of the impact of proposed funding cuts to resident training programs on health care for children.
When I tell people what I do for a living, often I get a puzzled look when I say, “I advocate for children’s health.” I explain that I work for Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, and it’s my job to make sure our elected officials understand how the work they do impacts the lives of children.
For example, a recent proposed change in President Obama’s budget calls for the elimination of federal funding for Children’s Graduate Medical Education. This cut is alarming because it has a real impact on Wisconsin and the health of our children. The funding provides children’s …Continue reading →
The Medicaid safety net
For so many Americans who lost their jobs and their insurance, Medicaid is an important safety net. Now imagine you lost both your job and your insurance benefits and your child gets sick, but you have the Medicaid safety net. So, you call your doctor, only to be told that your doctor’s office can’t see your child because he or she cannot see any more Medicaid patients. You are told this is because the state can’t afford to pay the costs for the services. …Continue reading →