CHEO-led program to help families of kids with complex medical needs

OTTAWA | A novel pilot program at the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) is designed to help families manage the social, emotional and economic burden of caring for children with complex medical conditions.The federal government is providing more than $2.4 million in funding over five years for the Navigator Program, “Strong Families for Vibrant Futures.”“This innovative pilot really takes a family-centred approach to helping those whose children have the most complex medical challenges, making a real difference in their lives,” says Alex Munter, president and CEO of CHEO. “This is a great example of the community rallying together to help parents.”It’s estimated that more than 6,000 children in Ontario have very high care needs, being medically fragile and dependent on technology. The program aims to help 150 families.Like all children, they have many needs, such as education, friendship and recreation, and their care involves a wide range of professional assistance, including therapists, medical specialists, respite or palliative care, home care, special supports to participate in school and community activities, and specialized equipment.The Navigator Program is designed to help parents and families of children with complex medical conditions deal with the serious social, emotional and financial consequences of their medical circumstances, which often lead to challenges the conventional healthcare system does not address.The Navigator Program builds on the work of the Champlain Complex Care Program, funded by the Champlain Local Health Integration Network (LHIN). It brings together many people and organizations across the Ottawa region. Read more about CHEO

CHEO-led program to help families of kids with complex medical needs

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