In a recently released issue of Pediatrics, Dr. Elizabeth Lendrum, a trainee along with attending and trainee colleagues from Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center (CCHMC), conducted an inspiring advocacy project to aid children experiencing homelessness in their local area (10.1542/peds.2023-061533). The team developed a community-based initiative in collaboration with a key local non-profit partner serving those who are homeless (UpSpring). Their aims were to implement American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) practice recommendations, including helping families find a medical home and source of care, facilitating connections to needed resources and services, and additionally teaching pediatricians about best practices in care of children who experience homelessness.
By collaborating with UpSpring, the team was able to find a trusted partner and venue for distribution of their needs assessment and for teaching and interaction with families. UpSpring’s annual summer camp, called Summer360, serves children with homelessness ages 5 to 18 years; this served as an essential base for the initiative. The advocacy team assessed needs and then utilized a mobile care center from their home institution, created a health-focused education series for children that was presented by pediatric trainees, and added tailored resource provision for parents and guardians. The most frequently identified health-related needs were dental care and food insecurity; other specific health concerns included mental health and developmental concerns, with housing insecurity, insurance, and transportation needs also endorsed.
This trainee initiative was supported both by a CATCH grant (Community Access to Child Health) from the AAP and the CCHMC residency program. The authors share relevant lessons learned, including:
- the critical role of the trusted community partner in guiding and supporting family engagement and project success,
- the need to continuously update and align surveys and resource provision with family needs and barriers, including accessibility for non-English speakers or those who cannot read, and
- the importance of sharing results publicly and with the community as a best practice and as a route toward sustainability.
This well-done project serves as a helpful blueprint for other trainees and training programs hoping to engage with children and families experiencing homelessness. The key role of an AAP CATCH grant in framing and supporting this initiative creates an “ah-ha moment” and an invitation to other residents and residency groups to potentially submit their own advocacy initiatives to this excellent program. Check this opportunity out here!
