Children's Wisconsin-Fox Valley, Neenah, 2024 Community Benefits
Child Advocacy Center provides Wraparound Care to Kids in Need
Children’s Wisconsin’s Fox Valley Child Advocacy Center (CAC), located in Children’s Appleton Clinic, brings together a specially trained multidisciplinary team of professionals to evaluate and investigate cases of child abuse, neglect or sexual assault and help children and their families access the services and supports they need.
The CAC is a child-focused, child-friendly setting that provides comprehensive services through specialized medical evaluations, forensic interviews, advocacy case management and mental health treatment. A CAC’s mission is to promote and foster safety, healing and justice for children and families. Without effective therapeutic intervention, many children who have experienced trauma may suffer ongoing or long-term adverse social, emotional, developmental and health outcomes. Importantly, CACs collaborate with community partners and organizations, including mental health professionals, child protective services, sexual assault and domestic violence providers and law enforcement professionals. These partners work in collaboration to best serve the child to minimize re-traumatization and support their healing.
Children’s receives grant support and is able to bill for select services, however, many of the CACs services are provided to families free of charge. Last year, Children’s CACs cared for nearly 7,000 children were cared for throughout the state, including at medical satellite locations and through our hospital-based child advocacy service.
Last year, a seven-year-old boy witnessed the homicide of a family member by another family member. He was referred to the CAC for a forensic interview and understandably needed a high level of support. The therapist at the CAC, a CAC advocate and Child Life Specialist were available during the initial appointment to provide grief support. The child and his father continue to receive follow-up therapy and advocacy services free of charge.
Thanks in part to community benefit investment, Children’s Fox Valley CAC provides specialized care and services to promote health and healing for children in need.
The CAC is a child-focused, child-friendly setting that provides comprehensive services through specialized medical evaluations, forensic interviews, advocacy case management and mental health treatment. A CAC’s mission is to promote and foster safety, healing and justice for children and families. Without effective therapeutic intervention, many children who have experienced trauma may suffer ongoing or long-term adverse social, emotional, developmental and health outcomes. Importantly, CACs collaborate with community partners and organizations, including mental health professionals, child protective services, sexual assault and domestic violence providers and law enforcement professionals. These partners work in collaboration to best serve the child to minimize re-traumatization and support their healing.
Children’s receives grant support and is able to bill for select services, however, many of the CACs services are provided to families free of charge. Last year, Children’s CACs cared for nearly 7,000 children were cared for throughout the state, including at medical satellite locations and through our hospital-based child advocacy service.
Last year, a seven-year-old boy witnessed the homicide of a family member by another family member. He was referred to the CAC for a forensic interview and understandably needed a high level of support. The therapist at the CAC, a CAC advocate and Child Life Specialist were available during the initial appointment to provide grief support. The child and his father continue to receive follow-up therapy and advocacy services free of charge.
Thanks in part to community benefit investment, Children’s Fox Valley CAC provides specialized care and services to promote health and healing for children in need.
Children’s Wisconsin Expands Community Health Advocates to the Fox Valley
Children’s Wisconsin is proud to partner with the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Fox Valley and Oshkosh to support two community health advocates who help wrap around kids and families and address their needs.
Thanks to a generous donation from Lynne Cumings Keller and institutional support from Children’s Wisconsin, Boys & Girls Clubs and other community organizations can refer families with a child under age 18 to receive support from Children’s community health advocates.
The community health advocates conduct a social needs assessment to determine social determinants of health, then address basic needs such as food, clothing, housing, transportation, employment, health insurance, physical and mental health, alcohol and drug rehabilitation services and more. The community health advocates connect families with resources and provide ongoing support for up to one year to help them reach their goals and work towards self-sufficiency.
A relative recently received guardianship of her two nieces. After a referral from the Menasha Boys & Girls Club, a Children’s community health advocate was able to get them connected to the Oshkosh St. Vincent de Paul so they could obtain much needed clothing, bedding and household items for the girls. One of the girls was having some mental health concerns, so a Children’s community health advocate provided several resources for psychiatric testing that would work with her insurance. In addition, the community health advocate was able to refer them to the Community Clothes Closet for new school clothes and shoes. The caregiver was very grateful for the information and support as they take on this new role for their nieces.
Thanks to a generous donation from Lynne Cumings Keller and institutional support from Children’s Wisconsin, Boys & Girls Clubs and other community organizations can refer families with a child under age 18 to receive support from Children’s community health advocates.
The community health advocates conduct a social needs assessment to determine social determinants of health, then address basic needs such as food, clothing, housing, transportation, employment, health insurance, physical and mental health, alcohol and drug rehabilitation services and more. The community health advocates connect families with resources and provide ongoing support for up to one year to help them reach their goals and work towards self-sufficiency.
A relative recently received guardianship of her two nieces. After a referral from the Menasha Boys & Girls Club, a Children’s community health advocate was able to get them connected to the Oshkosh St. Vincent de Paul so they could obtain much needed clothing, bedding and household items for the girls. One of the girls was having some mental health concerns, so a Children’s community health advocate provided several resources for psychiatric testing that would work with her insurance. In addition, the community health advocate was able to refer them to the Community Clothes Closet for new school clothes and shoes. The caregiver was very grateful for the information and support as they take on this new role for their nieces.
Wisconsin Poison Center at Children’s Wisconsin Provides Statewide Services to Improve Outcomes
The Wisconsin Poison Center (WPC), housed at Children’s Wisconsin, is the state’s only accredited poison emergency hotline with nationally certified specialists available 24/7/365. The WPC receives calls from community residents with questions regarding exposures to medications, household chemicals, fumes, drugs, animal bites or stings, plants and more. WPC staff and toxicologists collaborate with hospitals across Wisconsin who are caring for patients with poison exposures to ensure the best treatment.
In 2023, WPC cared for Wisconsinites in every county, helping manage nearly 37,000 cases, including 42 percent of whom were over 20 years old. They perform regular follow-up calls each day with exposed individuals and care teams to ensure safety and high-quality care.
The WPC plays an important role in educating the future health care workforce as an elective rotation for students, residents and fellows. The WPC is the training ground for the medical toxicology fellowship, which was established in 2022 and supports the state’s only Medical Toxicology Clinic at Children’s Wisconsin, which cares for both pediatric and adult patients.
An 18-year-old was seen at an emergency room in Neenah. He reported a self-harm attempt days earlier when he ingested a variety of medications combined with alcohol. He had been feeling well until he suddenly began feeling dizzy, had a headache, low heart rate and low blood pressure. The hospital providers consulted the WPC, whose staff and toxicologist reviewed the medications and his lab and test results. Noting the patient’s elevated liver enzymes, WPC recommended observation and treatment. The patient improved, ultimately resulting with him being discharged the following day.
The WPC’s services help to reduce length of stay, limit inappropriate use of medical resources and contribute to cost savings. The WPC receives hospital membership fees and federal and state funding; however, Children’s invests significant funds to support the WPC’s operations.
In 2023, WPC cared for Wisconsinites in every county, helping manage nearly 37,000 cases, including 42 percent of whom were over 20 years old. They perform regular follow-up calls each day with exposed individuals and care teams to ensure safety and high-quality care.
The WPC plays an important role in educating the future health care workforce as an elective rotation for students, residents and fellows. The WPC is the training ground for the medical toxicology fellowship, which was established in 2022 and supports the state’s only Medical Toxicology Clinic at Children’s Wisconsin, which cares for both pediatric and adult patients.
An 18-year-old was seen at an emergency room in Neenah. He reported a self-harm attempt days earlier when he ingested a variety of medications combined with alcohol. He had been feeling well until he suddenly began feeling dizzy, had a headache, low heart rate and low blood pressure. The hospital providers consulted the WPC, whose staff and toxicologist reviewed the medications and his lab and test results. Noting the patient’s elevated liver enzymes, WPC recommended observation and treatment. The patient improved, ultimately resulting with him being discharged the following day.
The WPC’s services help to reduce length of stay, limit inappropriate use of medical resources and contribute to cost savings. The WPC receives hospital membership fees and federal and state funding; however, Children’s invests significant funds to support the WPC’s operations.
