Patients and Families Patient and Family Resources
At Texas Children’s Hospital, we understand the challenges families encounter when a child is in the hospital and away from home. Our Family Support Services programs are designed to offer assistance and knowledge in a variety of ways to help meet your family’s needs.
Child life
Child life specialists are available to help prepare children and adolescents for medical treatments and procedures. They use developmentally appropriate teaching tools like imagery, distraction and relaxation to reduce anxiety and help children develop coping strategies. Activity coordinators normalize the hospital environment through play in the activity room and at the bedside.
The Child Life Department offers a number of services designed to make the hospital experience as positive as possible for both patients and their families. These services include:
- A school program
- Age-appropriate activities
- Animal-assisted therapy
- Closed circuit media programs - Channel 19
- Family and sibling support programs
- Individualized explanations of medical tests, procedures and surgeries
- Music therapy
- Orientation tour
Please call 832-826-1650 if you would like a child life specialist to help you or your child.
Family advocacy
The Family Advocacy Department provides services to ensure that your stay at Texas Children’s Hospital is a positive experience. Please contact Family Advocacy at 832-824-1919 if you or your child have a question, concern, compliment or suggestion about your experience at the hospital.
Family advocates are available to assist you in seeking resolution to a complaint or grievance, facilitating effective communication between you and your health care team and advocating for your patient rights and responsibilities.
Notice of non-discrimination
Texas Children’s complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. Texas Children’s does not exclude people or treat them differently because of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex.
Guest services
Guest Services representatives can provide information regarding parking, nearby restaurants, hotels and shopping areas, and are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For Guest Services assistance, please call 832-826-STAR (7827).
Language services
Language assistance is available for those who do not speak English comfortably. Notify your provider or nurse, or call Language Services at 832-824-5200 if you need an interpreter or use American Sign Language.
International patient services
The International Patient Services team works on behalf of our patients and offers you many services to support your child and your family before, during and after your visit to Houston.
Bereavement Services
The staff of Texas Children’s Hospital wishes to extend our sympathy and condolences in the loss of your loved one. We recognize that the end of life and the time immediately after death is a difficult and often confusing time for you and your family.
You may be wondering what to do next. Be assured that our staff is ready to help you while you are at Texas Children’s and after you leave. Please let us know how we may assist you. Here we provide some information to guide you in the arrangements and decisions you may need to make for your loved one.
Spiritual care
Chaplains are available to provide direct emotional and spiritual support to our patients and their families while respecting spiritual and religious diversity. Families and visitors are welcome to visit The Children’s Chapel located on Level 3 of West Tower by The Auxiliary Bridge. The chapel is open 24 hours, 7 days a week, and hosts worship services for a variety of faiths throughout the week. Chaplains also have a list of nearby places of worship, available on request.
You can reach Spiritual Care at 832-824-7223.
Social work
Social workers are dedicated to helping families cope effectively with life changes associated with a child’s hospitalization. They can help locate community resources, assist with legal, logistical and school issues, provide family counseling, educate you on your child’s diagnosis and respond to your unique needs. Talk to a hospital staff member to request a visit from a Texas Children’s social worker, or call Social Work at 832-824-1570.
Volunteer services
More than 800 volunteers generously donate their time each year in more than 100 placements within the hospital. Volunteers include juniors, adults and corporate groups who can be identified by their outfits and badges.
Volunteers help enhance the lives and experiences of our patients, families and caregivers by providing the following, and much more:
Support and/or entertaining activities in patient rooms, waiting areas, playrooms, Guest Services, the Child Life Zone and the Pi Beta Phi Patient Family Library
Emotional support through the Spiritual Care Volunteer Program
Fun carts, book carts and a snow cone cart to keep children busy and happy, as well as a tea cart with hot tea and sweet treats for parents and staff
A clothes closet for patients in need of clothing
Sandwiches for families on a first-come, first-served basis
Contact Volunteer Services at 832-824-2257.