San Diego Hospice is California's first provider of unique children care program

The Comprehensive Care Management Programs (CCMP) at San Diego Hospice celebrates one year as California's first provider of Partners for Children. This unique state-funded program allows chronically ill children on Medi-Cal and CCS (California Child Service) to receive pain and symptom management services, or palliative care, at home. The organization reports that families in its Partners for Children program have gained greater access to area services that meet the critical healthcare needs of this special population.

Palliative care addresses the "whole person" needs of an individual at any age, such as physical, social, spiritual and emotional. Furthermore, its use is not limited to hospice care, which focuses on people with a terminal diagnosis.

"The Partners for Children program has made a positive impact overall, especially regarding the fiscal challenges of caring for chronically ill children," said Jan Wyss, Program Manager for CCMP at San Diego Hospice. Partners for Children allows high-quality, cost-effective care to be delivered to chronically ill children in the comfort of their home."

Services to eligible children and their families through Partners for Children include:

• Care coordination
• Expressive therapies such as creative art, music, massage and play therapy
• Family education and training on palliative care issues, care needs, and treatments
• Respite care
• Support counseling for child and family

Medical conditions that may qualify a child to receive services include:

• Cancer
• Cystic Fibrosis
• Brain or head injuries
• Spinal muscular atrophy
• Duchene's muscular dystrophy dependent on a ventilator
• Intestinal problems and dependent on IV nutrition
• Liver or bowel transplant
• Leukodystrophies