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Family-Centered Care

Modle of CarePatients and families are at the center of everything we do at Arkansas Children’s. We believe that families and caregivers are the primary sources of strength and support for the children, adolescents, and adults served by the hospital. With those thoughts in mind, we have created a model of care focused on compassion, respect, collaboration, support and advocacy for each patient and family member.

We work with our patients and families to create an empowered environment where evidence-based practices are implemented to assure safe, high-quality, comprehensive care.

Family-Centered Care Promotes Positive Experiences

From the design of our buildings to the doctors we hire, the needs of children and families are always our priority. We are 100 percent focused on highly specialized children’s care. Because of that, we know what patients and families need most to heal. Our spaces were designed for family-centered care. They promote healing and well-being through:
  • Wellness spaces designed to raise children’s discovery and delight
  • Outdoor gardens, nature trails and interactive features designed just for children
  • Rooms for breast-feeding available throughout our locations

Arkansas Children’s applies patient and family-centered care to all that we do. With that in mind, the Patient and Family Advisor Program was created as a way for us to partner with patients and families. The goal of the Patient and Family Advisor Program is to actively engage our patients and families in a variety of ways to enhance our ability to provide exceptional patient and family-centered care.

The Advisor Program may be a great fit for you if you have an:

  • Interest in sharing your story, feedback and experiences
  • Ability to listen to and consider different points of view
  • Ability to work well with others
  • Respect for diversity
  • Commitment to family-centered care
  • Ability to maintain confidentiality

Contact our team at 501-364-1412 or email daviscr@archildrens.org to learn more about our program.

Parents Serving Families: Impacting Day to Day Hospital Activities and Practices

At Arkansas Children's, our goal is to provide patient and family-centered care. One of the best ways to do this is by listening to what our patients and their families have to say.

That's why we have created Family Advisory Boards (FAB). A FAB consists of parents or legal guardians of Arkansas Children's patients from all parts of Arkansas. Key hospital leadership and team members also participate on the Board in an advisory capacity. The FAB serves as an advisory resource committee to Arkansas Children's and provides guidance on issues related to patient and family-centered care.

FAB Goals

  • To offer ideas and suggestions regarding policy and practice that effect family-centered care
  • To review recommendations and concerns referred to the board by parents, staff, providers or administration
  • To serve in an educational role, as needed or requested, regarding patient/family perceptions of care and services

Onboarding Process

  • Applicants will be asked to complete an application, background check, interview, training and immunization updates.
  • The immunization updates are a flu shot during flu season, 2 tuberculosis skin tests, a current TDAP, documentation of 2 MMR vaccines and documentation of varicella immunization or providing a history of the disease. Immunizations can be given free of charge at Arkansas Children’s once approved as a FAB Member.
  • We ask for a two-year commitment

FAB Activities and Accomplishments

The Family Advisory Board has provided input regarding several initiatives at Arkansas Children's such as:

  • Patient Safety
  • Parent Handbook
  • Patient Experience Tables
  • MyChart Feedback
  • Staff Education
  • Representation on Hospital Committees
  • Monthly Parent Dinner
  • Family Bathrooms
  • Website Redesign
  • Family-Centered Care
  • Facilities Design
  • Patient Care Initiatives
  • Wayfinding
  • Parent Education Materials
  • Handicap Parking

Committee Advisors participate on hospital committees and provide their thoughts, feedback, and experiences on the committee topic. Often, committees meet once per month. The agenda for each meeting is set by staff members and Committee Advisor’s provide their feedback during the meeting.

  • Examples of committees are Acute Care Committee, Quality and Safety Committees, Patient and Family-Centered Care Steering Group
  • Applicants will be asked to complete an application, background check, interview, training and an annual flu shot.
  • We ask for a one-year commitment

Family Speakers will share their experiences with staff members, students, patients and families in presentations. Family Speakers could speak to new employees, to various departments within the Hospitals, to students, patients, and families.

  • Applicants will be asked to complete an application, background check, interview, training and annual flu shot.

Do you live too far away to be an on-campus Advisor but still want to be a part of the team? The E-Council Advisor shares their feedback, perspective and suggestions electronically on a variety of topics presented by staff members. Access to an electronic device with internet access would be needed to be an E-Council Advisor. The E-Council is a way to connect for those living at a distance from Arkansas Children’s, who can’t get away from work, who wants to help but doesn’t have a lot of extra time, or, has difficulties finding childcare. The E-Council is great for anyone!

 

  • Applicants will be asked to complete an application, background check, interview and training.

The Mentor Program aims to connect those seeking a mentor with those volunteering to be a mentor. The goal of the program is for the mentor to provide support to the person requesting a mentor. The mentor will have valuable insight and experience on coordinating life during hospitalizations, navigating resources, parenting, managing multiple systems and many other topics. How each mentor/requestor communicates is solely up to them and may include in-person meetings at the hospital, telephone communication or email.

  • A mentor will be asked to complete an application, background check, interview, training and immunization updates.
  • The immunization updates are: a flu shot during flu season, 2 tuberculosis skin tests, a current TDAP, documentation of 2 MMR vaccines and documentation of varicella immunization or providing a history of the disease. Immunizations can be given free of charge at Arkansas Children’s once approved as a mentor.

At Arkansas Children's, our goal is to provide patient and family-centered care. One of the best ways to do this is by listening to what our patients and their families have to say.

That's why we have the Youth Advisory Council (YAC). YAC consists of teen patients and patients' siblings from all parts of Arkansas. YAC provides guidance on issues related to patient and family-centered care.

Purpose of YAC:

  • Give teen patients (ages 14 – 18) and teen siblings of these patients a forum to voice their thoughts, ideas, share concerns and make recommendations regarding Arkansas Children's new and current programs, policies, environment, and overall care
  • Provide an opportunity for teen members to develop and practice self-advocacy skills

YAC Activities and Accomplishments:

The Youth Advisory Committee has been active in many hospital initiatives such as:

  • Promoting streaming media (i.e. Netflix) availability for patients and families
  • Patient Safety
  • Facilities Design
  • Patient Care Initiatives
  • Wayfinding

Apply for the Patient and Family Advisor Program

Apply Now

    Log Patient & Family Advisor Hours:

    If you are a current Patient and Family Advisor and would like to update your volunteer hours, please log in to your Volunteer Portal. You can continually update your hours or enter them once per month. Thank you for all you do for Arkansas Children's!