Problem

There is probably no greater challenge for hospice and palliative care providers than caring for seriously ill children and their families. Death in these circumstances seems particularly unfair. Children are not supposed to die. Parents are not supposed to outlive their children. But there are no rules when it comes to sickness, death and dying, and sometimes the unthinkable happens. It is into this difficult situation that hospice enters.

The Gift

The challenge of caring for a seriously ill child can seem overwhelming. Your donation will help ease that burden for hospice and palliative care providers through “Caring for Kids: How to Develop A Home-Based Support Program for Children and Adolescents With Life-Threatening Conditions."

This manual, developed by NHPCO's Children's Project on Palliative/Hospice Services (ChiPPS), is designed to help hospices and other health providers develop home-based palliative care services that empower caregivers and families of children living with life-threatening conditions. The guide thoroughly examines 16 organizational imperatives, leading providers step by step through the process of planning, shaping and implementing specialized, pediatric home-based services to meet the needs of dying children and their families.

Through this important tool, your gift will help build a successful, high-quality pediatric palliative care program responsive to the needs of a community.