Building a Pediatric Rehabilitation and Habilitation Community

We understand from research and evidence that having community partnerships is crucial for improving the health and well-being of all children. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) model, the focus is on what children do, not how they do it. The WHO ICF emphasizes that having a disability doesn't mean lacking health. 

Evidence shows that children with disabilities engage less in recreational activities compared to their peers, as they often choose more passive, home-based hobbies and interests. Therefore, having a community partner for children's participation is crucial in pediatric rehabilitation. 

Research suggests that increased participation leads to greater skill development and functional improvements. This care model is used nationwide for young children in early intervention programs (ages 0-5), but it falls short for school-age children and older. At Kennedy Krieger Institute in Baltimore, MD, our mission includes building a community to help improve the health and function of people with disabilities. By collaborating with the community, we create rehabilitation and habilitation practice opportunities beyond the therapy environment, fostering enhanced participation and practice for children of all ages. 

An essential aspect is encouraging staff involvement in your community collaborations. It is important to identify focuses that your organization believes are essential. Furthermore, your leadership team supports efforts so that you can be successful. These are the suggestions to consider when getting your team/staff involved:

• Allow staff dedicated time, demonstrating organizational commitment to building and sustaining the partnership. Team members participating also foster relationships beyond the workplace, promoting further growth and integration with the organization.

• Cultivate leaders within your team, encouraging someone to assume a leadership role and supporting their development. Clear communication with the organization's contact ensures partnerships remain robust and expand.

• Establish clear participation guidelines to align everyone involved, fostering shared expectations for their engagement.

• Acknowledge and reward active participation, ensuring the team feels a sense of accomplishment.

Finding organizations that make pediatric rehabilitation practice and participation is another major focus. Identify associations with missions that align with patient rehabilitative and habilitative goals. These goals may be different based on the clinic disciplines on your team. So, matching with a program that meets the needs of your patients is key.

Getting involved with a well-established and robust program, such as Special Olympics, will also yield collaborative benefits. Become a part of the team, and as time progresses, leverage your rehabilitation expertise to customize the patient's participation, focusing on specific activities and skills to improve their function. What you learn from a strong partner can be carried over to smaller organizations that continue to grow. At Kennedy Krieger, we took what we learned from the Special Olympics and are partnering with the SPIRIT Club to help build activity programs for children who are bound to wheelchairs. This is a huge need in the community for school kids.

The final and most important consideration is accessibility. This entails expanding access for everyone involved in the program, including your staff and team. Families of children with disabilities often highlight access as a major obstacle to participating in community programs. Accessibility includes location, transportation, costs, and the availability of inclusive facilities. When selecting a partner, having an open discussion about access is crucial. It involves a comprehensive examination of all aspects to identify and address potential barriers, facilitating the creation of an improvement plan.

A valuable partnership can lead to more opportunities for everyone involved and improve the overall health of your patients, families, and others in the community.