At Le Bonheur, we’re reaching out to families. We ask them to be our partners – partners in caring for their children, partners in making policies and guiding practices and most importantly, in creating a safe environment. Partnering with our families is one of the most important things we do.
We may know everything about your child’s medical condition, but you know everything about your child.
Parents and other family members are natural advocates for their children. You understand your child’s needs in ways that go deeper than medicine. Simply put, you know what’s best for your child.
We practice family-centered care. What does that mean?
- When you speak, we listen. Your values and beliefs matter, and you will always be consulted in your child’s care – even on the “little” things, like your child’s favorite foods.
- We share complete, unbiased information. An effective team has to communicate openly, and we ensure a two-way conversation.
- We solicit the help of families to make our hospital better. Through the Family Partners Council, our patients and families help us make hospital policies, design our facilities and train our staff.
Family Partners Council
The Family Partners Council, founded in 2007, is a group of Le Bonheur patient families who work to improve processes within the hospital. They work directly with staff and physicians to encourage partnerships with families.
In 2024, 56 Family Partners volunteered their energy, time, talents and resources in various ways to impact Le Bonheur Families and staff. Our Family Partners are ambassadors, advisors and advocates for the hospital at all levels. They are passionate about patient and family-centered care and make its implementation a top priority.
Family Partners as Advocates
Since January 2024, we’ve welcomed nine new Family Partners and seven new Adolescents and Young Adults (AYAs) members, increasing the diversity of Family Partners’ voices in diagnosis, race, geography, age and gender.
In 2024, Family Partners has trained new care coaches, rounders and support group facilitators, expanding our team of advocates and deepening connections with families. This team of advocates logged 117 hours of one-on-one support with families, a significant increase from 45 hours the previous year. Family Partners expanded their weekly support group presence to include services for moms, dads and Hispanic families.
In collaboration with Child Life, Family Partners shared their stories of hope to be included in a Hope and Care Journal that will be distributed to families that need them.
Family Partners as Ambassadors
Our Family Partners 2024 Ambassadors have shared their Le Bonheur journey in support of staff, townhalls, fundraisers, orientations and education. These stories provide memorable evidence of the great medical care Le Bonheur provides to the community and link real-life experiences to exceptional patient and family-centered care.
Through storytelling, Family Partners highlight the four pillars of patient and family-centered care:
- Dignity and respect for the patient and family
- Complete and unbiased information sharing in ways that are affirming and useful
- Family participation in care planning and delivery
- Family collaboration with clinicians in policies, procedures, and staff education
To fully understand attitudes toward patient and family-centered care, a survey was given to staff. The results will inform Family Partners’ work on family–centered care going forward.
Family Partners as Advisors
Family Partners and AYAs have given their feedback on many projects and committees. Documents, contracts and flyers have been reviewed by Family Partners to ensure patient and family-centered quality improvements.
Teens as Family Partners
The Adolescents and Young Adults (AYAs) are former or ongoing patients who provide a youth perspective to the adult Family Partners group. They bring energy and enthusiasm to group projects, while also sharing their personal initiatives with Le Bonheur families. AYA is designed to be a beneficial experience for the members and the hospital. Some of their accomplishments to date are:
- Pumpkin Run
- Wacky Tacky Prom
- Night of Service
- Teen pajama drive
- Stories of Hope idea
- Sensory toy collection for Outpatient Rehab
- Wilson Society Grant
- Modeling for Child Life Prep Books
- Emergency Department volunteering
- Beverage cart
- Speaking engagements
Interested in joining the council? Contact Jill Hilliard at jill.hilliard@lebonheur.org.
