Programs and services

We believe kids deserve the best, so we try to meet the unique needs of your child and your family. We offer the following services to help with your child's stay at our Milwaukee campus.

Adolescent programs 

Special programs are offered so teens can meet other teens. Some activities are held in the Teen Lounge.

For more information ask your child’s nurse to talk to a Child Life Specialist. 

Bereavement Program

The Bereavement Program supports families dealing with grief and loss.

• Free services for families:
• Family or individual support
• Grief support groups
• Workshops for adults and children
• Text for Hope program
• Family memorial programs
• Family grief camp
• Grief education and resources

For more information about the program, call (414) 266-2995 

Lactation management services

Need help with breastfeeding while your child is in the hospital? Services are offered Monday through Friday. There are pumping rooms and breast pumps in the hospital.  

For more information call (414) 266-1757, or talk to your child’s nurse.

CaringBridge

Set up a free website about your child. This can help parents communicate to friends and families when their child is in the hospital. You can get words of encouragement and support from friends and family  in the online "guest book"  There is no cost to set up a CaringBridge website for Children's patients and a password can be set up to maintain confidentiality. Families can easily set up their own website from any computer with Internet access.

• CaringBridge website

Child Life and Creative arts therapies

A child sees, feels and hears a lot of new things in the hospital. Child Life specialists use play, preparation and distraction to help children and teens understand and cope with their stay. Art, bubbles, iPads, or music help children relax and take their mind off their pain and worry.

Music and art therapy are a part of the Creative Arts Therapies Program. Art and music are used to help patients express thoughts and feelings about the hospital, reduce pain and decrease anxiety.

• Child life program
• Creative arts therapies program

Financial counseling

Financial counselors help with concerns about paying your bill.  They can help with questions about Medicaid, insurance and the Affordable Care Act.

• (414) 266-5700

Children’s provides face-to-face, telephone and video-based interpreters for patient families who do not speak English or who have limited speech ability, hearing or speech issues. We use trained medical interpreters who know how to handle sensitive situations. There is no cost to the patient family. This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Please ask for an interpreter if it will help you understand your child's care.

Mail

When sending mail, packages or gifts to patients, address all mail to:

Child’s name and room number
Children’s Wisconsin
PO Box 1997
Milwaukee, WI  53201-1997

Any mail received after discharge will be marked “return to sender.” We cannot forward or hold patient mail.

Newspapers

You can find a weekday edition of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel in the Daniel M. Soref Family Resource Center. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and USA Today also are available in the newspaper box in the skywalk between the hospital and clinics building.

Spiritual care

Chaplains are on call and available 7 days a week at all hours. To request a chaplain, ask a nurse or other staff person to have the Chaplain paged.

The Chapel is on the 1st floor of the hospital for prayer, meditation or quiet reflection. 

• Spiritual care at Children's

Parent to Parent of Wisconsin

Parent to Parent of Wisconsin offers a connection for parents who are:

• New to having a child with special needs
• Experiencing a time of stress
• Seeking support
• Looking for resources 

Visit the Daniel M. Soref Family Resource Center for more information. 

School support

We partner with the Wauwatosa School District to offer a school program for our patients. School teachers can provide bedside instruction for students K-4 through 12th grade. Ask your nurse for more information. 

Social work

Social Work Services is a vital part of the health care team. Medical Social Work Services offers:

• Social and emotional support when adjusting to a new diagnosis or chronic illness 
• Education on safety and disease-specific concerns
• Help with financial, insurance or community resources
• Support with moving from pediatric to adult health care 
• Answers to guardianship questions 
• Linking a child's school and health care team
• Coordinating services outside of the hospital with a patient's health care team 

Social workers help families speak up for their child’s health care by recognizing their strengths and goals. 

There is no charge for social work services to our patients or families.

Therapy dogs

Therapy dog visits help reduce stress and offer distraction for patients. Talk to your child’s doctor if you want a therapy dog visit. The doctor can place a consult. Parent or guardian consent is required before the visit can happen. Our therapy dog handlers are trained volunteers who try to honor as many consults as possible.