Community Collaborations

CommunityCollaboration_250x180The Department of Pediatrics is active in partnering with the community on many projects and initiatives. We continue to work together to further strengthen these partnerships and welcome the opportunity to develop new ones.

These collaborations include research, educational and clinical opportunities, with the focus of improving children's health throughout our region as well as nationally. Listed below are a few of our collaborations.

Vermont Child Health Improvement Program (VCHIP) provides nearly all pediatric practices in Vermont with tools to measure and improve the delivery of preventive care to children.

Vermont Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (VT LEND) prepares culturally competent, family-centered leadership and community-based professionals to improve the health of infants, children and adolescents with or at risk for neurodevelopmental and related disabilities.

Vermont Oxford Neonatal Network collects data from more than 1,400 neonatal intensive care units throughout the world. These data are used to improve the quality, cost and safety of neonatal intensive care nationwide.

Vermont Family Network offers programs to nurture, support and advocate on behalf of families whose children have chronic or life-threatening illness or disability or have been born prematurely. Parent to Parent volunteers also serve as Family Faculty, teaching medical students and pediatric residents a new perspective on the challenges, strengths and needs of families.

The Ronald McDonald House, conveniently located in downtown Burlington and less than a mile from The University of Vermont Medical Center provides families with the comforts of home while also offering the support of experiences staff and caring volunteers. Since 1984, The Ronald McDonald House Charities of Burlington has supported children and families throughout the region. The organization offers overnight accommodations in downtown Burlington, providing a “home away from home” for families with children at The University of Vermont Children’s Hospital. The Ronald McDonald Family Room, an extension of the Ronald McDonald House, is located in our inpatient pediatric unit and is staffed with volunteers. It provides refuge for families in a home-like setting while at The University of Vermont Children's Hospital. This room serves all families with children hospitalized at The University of Vermont Children's Hospital.

KidSafe Collaborative is a partnership of over 30 agencies, organizations and individuals working together to prevent and address child abuse and neglect in our community.

Let’s Grow Kids are change makers for children. Known for their transformational social mission and family-friendly policies, Let’s Grow Kids staff, board of directors, and volunteers include state government leaders, national nonprofit directors, business executives, marketers, grassroots organizers, and early childhood educators and administrators with proven successes creating social transformation, advocating for policy change, and upgrading Vermont’s childcare system. Members of their 36-person staff team represent the identities of the communities in which they live and work. Over half hail from previous careers as early educators, and most have personal experience navigating Vermont’s childcare system as parents.

Safe Kids Vermont is led by University of Vermont Children's Hospital, which provides dedicated and caring staff, operation support and other resources to assist in achieving our common goal: keeping your kids safe. Safe Kids Vermont is a network of advocates providing education and resources to prevent injuries among infants, children, adolescents, and young adults in Vermont. They provide programing directly to families as well as through community partners.