ORLANDO, Fla. (Ivanhoe Newswire) — Thirty-two million kids in this country are living with a chronic illness. Sixty thousand children will be admitted into the hospital with a traumatic brain injury. Staying on top of schoolwork can be challenging — but it’s the one thing that gives them a sense of normalcy. Now a first of its kind program is helping sick kids stay in class and giving aspiring teachers a chance to learn as well. Peds Academy
Khloe Raines has always loved learning. She says, “My favorite subject in school is math.”
Excelling at sixth grade until … A car crash left her with a traumatic brain injury.
Khloe’s mom, Victoria Raines says, “They were just trying to wake her up, see if she would blink her eyes at you on command, things like that.”
“I can’t remember my accident.” Explains Khloe.
After six weeks in the hospital, Khloe started to relearn what she lost thanks to a new program at Nemours Children’s Hospital.
Becca Grysko, PhD, Special Education Teacher & School Liaison at Nemours Children’s Hospital says, “Khloe was a very high-achieving student in sixth grade in all honors classes. And now because of her injury, she’s working significantly below grade level.”
A first in the country—PedsAcademy brings together children who are hospitalized with teacher interns.
Grysko, PhD explains, “Chronic illness creates a lot of stressors and/or barriers that can interfere with learning.”
These kids are at an increased risk for chronic absenteeism, performing below their peers with poor motivation and emotional issues.
“If there’s no communication between the hospital and the school … the school is not aware of the child’s needs, and they don’t know how to support that child.” Grysko, PhD says.
It also introduces aspiring teachers to the healthcare environment.
Emma Farnen, UCF Intern says, “I thought this would be a good opportunity for me to dip my toes into healthcare.”
Isabella Escandon, UCF Intern says, “I think it definitely solidified the fact that I do want to work in a children’s hospital.”
And because of their work … Khloe is now more prepared to go home and tackle 7th grade with confidence.
Nemours Children’s Hospital hopes to inspire other hospitals to do the same and offers a free toolkit on how to develop an internship program based on the PedsAcademy model. You can download it for free on the Nemours.org website.
Contributors to this news report include: Marsha Lewis, Producer; Roque Correa, Editor.
Sources:
https://nbc-2.com/news/local/lee-county/2023/04/15/woman-killed-by-dump-truck-in-lehigh-acres/amp/
PEDS ACADEMY: EDUCATING PATIENTS & TEACHERS
REPORT #3127
BACKGROUND: Peds Academy, a remarkable initiative by Nemours Children’s Hospital, is a transformative program designed to facilitate collaborative learning for children and aspiring educators. This innovative design aims to create an educational environment where both children and future teachers can grow and thrive together. The program recognizes the important role of early childhood education in shaping a child’s development and aims to provide a supportive platform for fostering a love for learning from a young age. Through individualized curriculum, interactive activities, and dedicated mentorship, Peds Academy seeks to inspire a lifelong passion for education while simultaneously equipping aspiring teachers with hands-on experience in teaching and child development.
(Source: https://ccie.ucf.edu/teachered/peds-academy/)
DIAGNOSIS: Peds Academy is particularly beneficial for children who may have complex medical conditions or chronic illnesses that require specialized care and attention. This unique approach to education is well-suited for children with conditions such as cancer, autoimmune disorders, neurological disorders, or other chronic illnesses that may require ongoing medical treatment and support. Aspiring teachers interested in applying for the Peds Academy program must complete several important steps to ensure the safety and well-being of the children they will be working with. These steps include passing a background check, undergoing a 10-panel drug screen within 30 days of the start date, providing proof of a 2-step tuberculosis (TB) test conducted within 12 months prior to the start date, and demonstrating immunity to certain diseases through vaccination or serum titer results. Specifically, immunity to measles, mumps, rubella (MMR), hepatitis B, varicella (chicken pox), and tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis (Tdap) within the last 10 years is required. Additionally, candidates must receive the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) vaccine and the influenza vaccine to ensure the health and safety of patients, families, and Nemours staff. Also, candidates are required to obtain Employment Educators Liability Insurance through the purchase of a student membership to the National Education Association (NEA). Completing a series of Nemours web-based trainings and attending a one-day internship orientation at Nemours Children’s Hospital prior to the start date are also essential steps to the application process.
(Sources: https://www.nemours.org/services/support/orlsupport/school-program/pedsacademy.html
NEW REGULATIONS: For children dealing with serious or chronic illnesses, prioritizing health is vital, but education remains important. Federal law grants educational support to kids facing chronic illnesses or disabilities, with potential eligibility for free services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Public schools generally offer more accessible services compared to private ones. Hospitals often provide bedside or onsite schooling for patients, ensuring academic continuity. Certified K-12 teachers collaborate with a child’s school to maintain curriculum consistency, IEPs, and 504 plans. School schedules are adapted to accommodate medical treatments, always considering a child’s condition. It’s important to find a balance between education and recovery, setting achievable goals and offering continuous support to the child.
(Source: https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/academics-illness.html)
🖂 For More Information, Contact:
Margot Winick
Margot.Winick@nemours.org
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