Partners for Kids has initiated Santa Barbara County’s first Pediatric Concurrent Care Collaborative designed to offer comprehensive, compassionate, and coordinated care to seriously ill children from birth to 21 years of age.
Spearheaded by Kieran Shah, president/CEO of VNA Health, and Rebecca Simonitsch, Quality Initiatives Program manager for Cottage Health, nine local organizations have joined to create a safety net for pediatric patients and their families to help them receive care close to home.
The groups are: CenCal Health , Central Coast Home Health & Hospice , Cottage Children’s Medical Center , Dignity Health , Hearts Aligned , Herencia Indígena , Hospice of Santa Barbara , Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation , and VNA Health.
The alliance allows children with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions to receive curative and palliative treatments simultaneously, ensuring they have access to a full spectrum of care that addresses their medical, emotional, spiritual, and family needs, according to Partners for Kids.
“We are excited to introduce Partners for Kids to families in our community,” said Shah. “This collaboration represents a holistic approach to pediatric care that prioritizes not only the treatment of the disease but also the well-being of the child and family.
“Our goal is to ensure that children with complex medical conditions receive the best possible care at every stage of their journey.”
“Children benefit from specialized pediatric medical care, so our aim is to surround them and their families with the type of unique support, care, and compassion they need to thrive,” said Simonitsch.
Key features of the Pediatric Concurrent Care Collaborative include:
Simultaneous Curative and Palliative Treatments: Children may receive aggressive treatments for their illnesses alongside supportive services focused on comfort and quality of life, including pain management, symptom control, and emotional and psychological support.
Multidisciplinary Care Teams: The program brings together pediatricians, specialists, palliative care providers, nurses, social workers, child life specialists, and chaplains working collaboratively to create a personalized care plan for each child and family.
Family-Centered Approach: Understanding the unique needs of each diverse family, the program emphasizes open communication, family education, and support throughout the child’s treatment journey.
Increased Access to Resources: Patients and families will have access to a range of resources, including counseling, respite care, and holistic care planning when appropriate, all designed to reduce stress and improve the overall experience.
The collaborative services offered by Partners for Kids are available to children under the age of 21 who have been diagnosed with serious, chronic, or life-threatening illnesses. Referrals can be made by physicians, hospitals, or through a direct family request.
For more, contact Rebecca Simonitsch, 805-448-0399 or rsimonit@sbch.org.