Pediatric Social WorkThe Department of Social Work at The Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine assists children and their families throughout the hospitalization experience and with their needs after they are discharged. Our services are specifically designed to be family centered, respectful of your values and special needs, and focused on helping your child resume activities at home and in the community.
The social worker meets with each family upon admission and helps the patient
and family adjust to being in the hospital. He or she will assist you with
all aspects related to the discharge planning process, and will coordinate
the services you will need to assure a smooth transition from the hospital
to home. The social work department will also arrange for interpreters for
patients and families who are not fluent in English.
• The Social Work Role
• Group Program
• How to Get Started and Contacting Us
The Social Work Role
Your social worker at Rusk can help you and your child in a number of ways. These include:
PROVIDING SUPPORT to help you cope with the stress that can go with parenting a child with special needs.
HELPING YOU DEAL with the emotional stress that goes with hospitalization in unfamiliar surroundings.
COUNSELING AND GUIDANCE: The social worker will encourage you to share problems and will help to find solutions.
Discussing and helping with PARENTING issues related to having a child with special needs.
FACILITATING COMMUNICATION among patients, family, and members of the health care team.
DISCHARGE PLANNING: The social worker will work with you and the hospital team to coordinate arrangements for your child's after-care at home. This includes lining up special equipment and supplies and arranging for home medical assistance if needed. The social worker will arrange family meetings to keep you informed about your child's progress and to plan with you for the transition to home-based care.
PROVIDING DAY-TO-DAY HELP in locating the appropriate resources for addressing practical concerns.
MAKING REFERRALS to agencies that can meet immediate essentials of life when necessary and address financial problems and concerns regarding medical insurance. When appropriate, referrals will be made for Supplemental Security Income, Medicaid, and other entitlement programs.
HELPING WITH HOUSING NEEDS: The social worker will help with problems related to adequacy and accessibility.
MAKING REFERRALS TO EARLY INTERVENTION PROGRAMS (birth to 3).
MAKING REFERRALS TO SPECIAL EDUCATION PRESCHOOL PROGRAMS and collaborating with the school districts' Committees on Preschool Special Education by assisting with the evaluation and placement process (ages 3 to 5).
ASSISTING WITH SCHOOL-RELATED CONCERNS: The social worker will make referrals to school district committees on special education for evaluation and placement in an appropriate class with supportive therapy services.
MAKING REFERRALS to appropriate community agencies for respite, recreation, and socialization.
ARRANGING for medically necessary ambulette/ambulance transportation.
COLLABORATING with family service and advocacy agencies that can provide community-based case management.
PROVIDING REFERRALS for pro bono legal assistance with child-related issues.
Group Program
In addition to helping your family individually,
the Department of Social Work also runs the following groups to help patients
and their familes:
THE PEDIATRIC PARENT SUPPORT GROUP for parents of current and former patients meets three times a month. We recognize that parents of children with special needs share common concerns and can offer mutual support to one another when a child is hospitalized. Themes of past groups include coming to terms with a child's special needs, parenting issues, impact on siblings and other family members, etc. The group is co-led by a certified social worker and a psychologist.
A SIBLING GROUP for pre-teens and teens meets weekly on Monday evenings
and is co-led by a social worker and a recreational therapist. The purpose
of the group is to give siblings their own special time when a parent's attention
is necessarily focused on the needs of the hospitalized child. Group discussions
are held along with therapeutic recreational activities.
THE PEDIATRIC PARENT FOCUS GROUP meets on the last Wednesday of the month and is another way that parents are encouraged to be involved with the care and treatment of their hospitalized child. The group is co-led by a certified social worker and nursing supervisor. Parents are encouraged to give staff feedback regarding hospital programs, policies, and procedures. The group is an effective tool for quality improvement.
To speak with a social worker please call 212-263-5018.
How to Get Started and Contacting Us
Appointment Scheduling:
212-263-5018
Hours of Operation:
M-F, 9:00 am-5:00 pm
or 24 hours/day for emergencies (call head nurse)
Review eligibility and insurance plan coverage for Rusk Services.
