School health
Children’s Memorial Hospital has maintained an active partnership with Chicago Public Schools and other suburban school districts on multiple health and safety issues. A primary emphasis has been on supporting chronically ill and medically complex children in schools. Other initiatives have included staff development and student education in areas ranging from HIV, child maltreatment; car seat, bike and pedestrian safety; sports injury prevention and social emotional learning.
In addition, hospital/school protocols to enhance communication and timely readmission for students in casts (following surgery) have also been developed. The hospital has also contributed to school health policy development in areas such as food allergy, diabetes and concussion management. This has included collaboration in crafting and implementing state legislation, participating on work groups of the Illinois State Board of Education and on a Governor’s work group on student health needs.