ParentWISE™ program

ParentWISE™ — Parent Wisdom In Shared E xperience™ — is a Children's Memorial Hospital volunteer program that supports parents during their child's diagnosis and treatment. ParentWISE volunteers are parents who know first-hand what it is like to care for a seriously ill child.

"Connecting with the ParentWISE volunteer gave my husband and me hope that we could get through this ordeal, and it helped our own parents imagine a future for their grandchild" - NICU parent

Building on the common bond of their child's illness or care experience, ParentWISE:

Connects the parents of current patients with experienced and specially trained parent-volunteers who listen and offer support in multiple ways;

Empowers parents to partner effectively with their child's care team, and to advocate for their child during and after treatment; and

Supports families in managing the stresses of having a very sick child.

Families experience emotional and practical difficulties when a child is very sick. Parents — the people who are making day-to-day health care decisions for a child — often feel uncertain, anxious, and isolated. Not even well-intentioned family and friends know first-hand what they are going through. But there are other parents who do.

Because of their personal experiences, ParentWISE volunteers offer hope and practical support to families coping with medical challenges.

"I learned so much during my own child's illness. Now I want to help other parents who are facing similar challenges" - ParentWISE volunteer.

Resources associated with the program vary by setting, and may include:

  • In-person and/or telephone support during the admission and after discharge
  • Parent journal/Resource guide
  • In-person support during day hospital visits and appointments with doctors.

The ParentWISE program is currently established in:

"When riding on the roller coaster of parenting a sick child, there is nothing like another parent who has been on the ride to give insight, survival tips, and hope. " - Victoria Collado, President, Family Advisory Board, 2005.

The ParentWISE program is dedicated to the well-being of the whole family. Previously known as Family to Family, it builds on the success of a volunteer parent initiative established in 1987. The program is still offered by parents for parents. It operates with the support of Children's Memorial Hospital leadership, medical, and ancillary staff, and the Family Advisory Board.

Links of interest include: Kohl's House, the Family Advisory Board, and the Ronald McDonald House. For more information, contact Volunteer@childrensmemorial.org. Please mention your interest in the ParentWISE program.