Every day our team of pediatric experts work together to care for and support our patients, even when it goes beyond the four walls of the hospital. Last October, Cook County Health awarded La Rabida a three-year grant through its Stronger Together initiative, a program aimed to address gaps in the special education process.
As part of the grant, La Rabida partners with Chicago Public Schools to offer Child Find Screenings at La Rabida to determine what special education services and resources a child qualifies for at the start of the IEP (individual education plan) process. Since adopting the Cook County Stronger Together initiative to our outpatient practice, our families have been able to learn and become empowered to advocate for their child.
“We as physicians and parents expect schools to provide a certain level of services, if they’re not, it bleeds into home life, mental health, social life” said Dr. Bhayani. “Through this initiative we are able to ensure our patients get the right services all around.”
One of our families who has benefitted from the program is Tajuana and Makale. For years Tajuana has been trying to navigate the complex education system to help Makale, who’s had a tough time in and out of the classroom. He tested two years behind his grade level, impeding his confidence.
“He was being bullied. Kids would tease him about the death of his mom,” said Tajuana. “I know he’s been through a lot, and my concerns and attempts just went unheard until La Rabida stepped in.”
Makale has an IEP focused on his individual, personalized needs. The differences in a plan can have a lasting impact on a child. Makale says he’s excited to start 7th grade this fall and sees the future a bit more optimistically.
“It makes me feel like people are stepping up for me and helping me out,” said Makale. “I’m going to make sure my grades are better and make improvement and get straight A’s.”
*This project is being supported, in whole or in part, by federal award number ALN 21.027 awarded to Cook County by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
