The Johns Hopkins Hospital was among the first hospitals in the nation to establish a Department of Social Work. The significant contributions of social work continue today as it did 100 years ago as the Pediatric-OB/GYN Social Work Department commits to the Johns Hopkins Children’s Center's mission to provide care for sick children and their families.
Clinical social workers in the Johns Hopkins Children's Center receive graduate education in child and adolescent development, family systems theory, and behavioral/mental health counseling. Social workers understand the impact of illness on the emotional and social functioning of children and their families.
How Social Workers Help Families:
- Cope with the challenges of caring for your child, managing their illness, hospitalization, or outpatient treatment plan.
- Support families (children, parents, grandparents, siblings) encountering a crisis.
- Gain a better understanding of the illness and what to expect while receiving treatment.
- Talk with your child or siblings about illness and/or hospitalization.
- Advocate for you and your needs with the medical team (doctors, nurses, therapists) to promote family centered care.
- Support families experiencing grief and bereavement.
- Develop pre and post hospitalization plans.
- Promote a safe family environment.
- Refer to community agencies for material assistance, including temporary lodging.
Social Workers provide:
- Advocacy
- Counseling (Individual, Family, and Group)
- Crisis Intervention
- Education
- Emotional Support