FUNDACION HOSPITAL PEDIATRICO

Family Center:The Patient and Family Support Center provides comprehensive, free support to patients' families during their children's hospitalization at University Pediatric Hospital. The center addresses the critical needs of families facing severe economic challenges-more than 50% of patients served come from families struggling to meet basic needs during hospitalization. According to Puerto Rico's Office of Management and Budget, 55% of children in Puerto Rico live in poverty. The center eliminates barriers that prevent families from thriving during their children's medical treatment, offering a welcoming refuge and constant source of support during the most difficult times. Program Activities includes distribution of essential supplies including hygiene products, clothing, diapers, and medical supplies, food vouchers ($10-$13 value) for caregivers during extended hospital stays, entertainment resources: iPads, tablets, Nintendo Switch consoles, books, and games, two equipped playrooms with toys, electronic games, and activities, birthday celebrations and special holiday events for patients, communication support services: printing, fax, scanning, and English language assistance, coordination with external organizations for additional services and resources and in-kind donation collection and distribution center. Population Served: Pediatric patients and their families/caregivers at Hospital Pediátrico Universitario, with priority given to long-term patients and families from rural areas outside the metro region. Program Results (2024-25): $113,000 in-kind donations distributed, $55,100 in food vouchers provided to families, 226 patients received electronic devices (iPads/tablets) with average 15-day usage, 84 special events hosted for patients and families, over $100,000 total value of essential items delivered to hospitalized patients and 25 volunteer students who participated accepted into medical schools. Program Staff: 1 full-time coordinator supported by foundation staff and volunteers. Allocation of payroll expenses related to this program amounts to $46,184. Direct program expenses amounts to $127,465.

Child Life Program: The Child Life program provides specialized emotional and psychological support services to hospitalized pediatric patients and their families. It is the only certified Child Life program in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean. Services address the emotional, developmental, and psychological needs of children during hospitalization through evidence-based therapeutic interventions including medical play, preparation for medical procedures, and emotion management strategies. Program Activities includes, individual assessments of emotional and developmental needs, therapeutic play and psychological preparation for medical procedures, creative therapies (art, music, dance), group and individual sessions in playrooms and patient rooms, crisis intervention and emotion management, psychological support workshops for caregivers, collaboration with medical teams to integrate emotional support into care plans. Population Served are pediatric patients hospitalized at Hospital Pediátrico Universitario and their families. Program Results (2024-25): 1,592 patients treated, reaching 42% of the hospitalized population with 3,961 total interventions provided. The program achieved a 34% increase in interventions compared to the previous year. Program Staff: 3 employees and 3 contractors specialized in Child Life services. Payroll expense allocation to this program amounts to $112,811 and direct program expenses amounts to $70,814.