Promising Practice Summary: HEAL Program | Stanford Children's Health

Overview

The Pediatric Epilepsy Program at Stanford Children's Health offers comprehensive support for pediatric epilepsy patients. The program is a Level 4 Center accredited by the National Association of Epilepsy Centers, and combines medical, dietary, and surgical treatments in the management of epilepsy.  Patients in the pediatric epilepsy program may receive support from the Hospital Educational Advocacy Liaisons (HEAL) program which addresses learning and school challenges by providing neuropsychological assessment and school advocacy.

Project Background

Motivated by the educational challenges faced by children with epilepsy, the HEAL program bridges gaps by collaborating with and educating students, parents, and schools on the unique cognitive, social, emotional needs these children may have, including the potential impact on their school success and how to help them advocate for appropriate school services. It provides neuropsychological testing and with the aid of educational liaisons helps integrate these results into individualized education plans (IEPs) to enhance educational outcomes.  

Data/Outcomes

The program tracks the number of patients receiving neuropsychological testing and advocacy services. This data is crucial for reporting to donors, ensuring transparency, and demonstrating the program's impact on children’s academic and social success.

Recommendations

For organizations looking to replicate this practice, several key steps are recommended:

• Engage Donors: Regularly communicate the program's value to maintain donor support.
• Collaborate: Work closely with schools and families to understand and address specific needs.
• Prioritize Comprehensive Care: Tie epilepsy services to surgical services and other aspects of the program to illustrate the importance of treating the entire patient.
• Seek External Funding: Explore diverse funding sources to enhance sustainability.
  
  

Sustainability and Challenges

Challenges:

• Entirely funded by philanthropy, making sustainability and growth difficult.
• Longer wait for services due to limited resources.  

Sustainability Strategies:

• Emphasize the program’s impact in donor communications.
• Seek additional funding mechanisms to expand services.
• Highlight the importance of comprehensive care in enhancing overall patient well-being.