Social workers are important members of your child’s healthcare team. They are here to help you and your family by assessing your needs and providing you with resources and support. A social worker can help:

• * Support you and your family as you learn to cope with your child’s illness or injury.
• * Give you support during times of grief and loss.
• * Address language and cultural concerns.
• * Plan patient care conferences between your family and the medical team.
• * Discuss any concerns about your child’s safety and protection.
• * Plan for your child’s discharge from the hospital.
• * Find resources to help pay for your child’s medicines.
• * Arrange transportation to and from the hospital.
• * Teach you about community agencies that provide ongoing services for financial, insurance, legal, mental health and other needs.
• * Provide information about Advance Directives, which allow patients 18 years and older to make valid, legal choices about their future medical care.

Social work services are vital to providing effective healthcare that impacts all dimensions of wellness for the patient and family. Social workers use their skills in assessment and intervention to provide our families with counseling, education, and resources to enhance their coping and well-being with illness or injury.

Take this day-in-the-life social worker and how they interact with both staff and patients at the Aflac Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta:

Tracy Howk grew up in Atlanta, but she moved to Florida to take a job as an oncology social worker. When she heard that the Aflac Cancer Center had an opening for a social worker, she jumped at the chance to move back to her hometown. Howk was hired to work with the Solid Tumor team and the Cancer Survivor program. Although there is no such thing as a typical day for Howk, she might go on inpatient rounds and visit with children admitted for chemotherapy. Then, she meets with children with solid tumors wherever they are in the hospital, visiting with families, patient care areas and intensive care units.

When she meets with families, Howk said, “I might conduct a psychosocial assessment of a family new to the Aflac Cancer Center; sit and talk with a family who needs help coping with their child’s illness; or spend some time coloring with, and counseling, a patient. I also take turns leading a multidisciplinary support group for inpatients that meets every other week.”

Every day, Howk helps families with many different issues. Arranging the care they need, Howk helps families meet challenges with a positive outlook and a sensitive heart. Through the difficult times, Howk carries with her the special moments she has shared with many children and their families. Drawing on those memories, she shares her hope with the families who are newly diagnosed.

Want to get more out of our site? Join our community!