Pediatric Support Services
At our facilities, we’re pleased to offer a wide variety of support services, especially when it comes to assisting pediatric patients and their families and caregivers. These programs and services are available throughout our system’s children’s hospitals.
- Observant Jewish Families Program: The Observant Jewish Families Program for pediatric patients and their families offers pantries with refrigerators specifically for kosher food that is routinely stocked by the Sephardic Bikur Cholim under the supervision of Rabbi Yechiel Jacobowitz. Prayer books are also available.
- Pet Therapy Program: The use of therapy dogs has been shown to help reduce stress for pediatric patients and their families. This program was designed with this insight in mind, aiming to enhance the healing process for our pediatric patients. Our volunteer handlers and therapy animals deliver positive interactions that bring unconditional love from an animal to the bedside, contributing to the emotional and physical healing process.
- Ronald McDonald House: The Ronald McDonald House provides accommodations for families of seriously ill children who are being treated at our pediatric hospitals and other area hospitals. Monmouth Medical Center is one of only three hospitals in New Jersey served by a Ronald McDonald House.
Our children’s hospitals offer wide-ranging, professionally led support groups for children, adolescents, and their parents including:
- Children/Adolescents Experiencing Loss
- Cleft Palate Support Group
- Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Support Group
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Support Group
- Kids Need Support, Too
- Kogan Celiac Center Support Group
- Moms of Multiples
- Mother-to-Mother Support Group
- New Babies, New Emotions
- Pediatric Diabetes Support Group
- Postpartum Depression Group
Our children’s hospitals also offer a wide variety of parenting education classes, including:
- Make Room for Baby (Ages 2 and up): This class is designed especially for children preparing for the birth of a sibling. Included in this class is a discussion about babies and a movie about becoming a big brother or sister. The children, accompanied by their parents, will have a look into the nursery windows.
- Happiest Baby on the Block: Helping parents have “The Happiest Baby on the Block” is the goal of a special program that strives to help participants learn an extraordinary approach to keeping babies happy in this unique, innovative class. New parents will learn step-by-step how to help baby sleep better and how to soothe even the fussiest baby in minutes. The class is based on the highly effective approach to babies pioneered by pediatrician Harvey Karp, M.D., in his best-selling book and DVD that helps parents turn on their baby’s “calming reflex” to quickly help fussy babies be calm, calm babies be serene, and all babies sleep an extra one to three hours at night.
- Infant Massage: This four-week program presents information on the theory of infant massage, bonding benefits, and ways to vary massage techniques as your baby grows. With the guidance of a massage instructor, you will practice massage techniques to help your baby relax. Massage book and oil will be provided.
- Understanding Your Toddler: Babies between 1 and 3 are starting to walk, say "no," and throw tantrums. This program focuses on coping strategies for toddler life, including real mom-tested techniques. Communication, discipline, building confidence, and learning patience will be covered.
- Parenting Young Children Through S.T.E.P: Using the nationally known S.T.E.P. (Systematic Training for Effective Parenting) approach to developing parenting skills, this five-session program focuses on helping parents gain a better understanding of the needs and behaviors of young children from infancy to age 6. It addresses such topics as communication, encouraging cooperation, effective discipline, and nurturing the social and emotional development of children — all of which can help build healthy family relationships for a lifetime.
