Kansas Children's Foundation
FACTS
- Formerly Wesley Children’s Foundation, the name was changed to Kansas Children’s Foundation to best reflect we serve families from across Kansas.
- Since 2014, the Foundation has provided nearly $600,000 in grants to Kansas not for profits serving our Kansas youth. Such as Girls on the Run, Ronald McDonald Home, City of Derby, KU Pediatrics, The Treehouse, Valley Center Schools, Sunrise Christian Academy, Canine Companions, Pediatric Dialysis, Heather’s Camp, Explorations Place, Sunrise fully accessible playground, Real Life Pediatric Oncology Counseling
- Nearly 1,000 families across Kansas have received Individual Assistance grants totaling more than $200,000 (average of $262) for items such as prescriptions not covered by insurance, cranial helmets, nonverbal communication device, medical related travel, wheelchairs, walkers, wheelchair ramps, and much more. Not many families are financially prepared to have a sick child. Days away from work, medical co-pays, hospital stays and needed equipment can put the family budget in crisis
the Foundation offers Individual Assistance to families of up to $500 per year, per child.
- The Foundation has served families in 48 Kansas counties
- Kansas Children’s Foundation funds five major programs through Wesley Children’s Hospital: Art Therapy, Music Therapy, Facility Dog Therapy, STEM and Pediatric Bereavement
- The Foundation does not provide anything to Wesley Children’s Hospital that they would bill to a patient or use to generate revenue. All support through Wesley Children’s is for patient comfort.
- The KCF Funded Music Therapy program is the only pediatric music therapy program in Kansas. In 2020, the certified Music Therapist offered Music Therapy 962 times. Music Therapy is an amazing partnership with pediatric care because it is scientifically proven to reduce both stress and pain, calm the child so the care team can get good vitals, and at times, eliminates the need to sedate which is easier on the child, better for the care team and less expensive in the process.
- Art Therapy also provides a way for patients to explore their emotions and experiences while in the hospital.The process of creating art can counter stress and provide positive distractions from pain, illness and associated stressors.
- The Foundation partners with Exploration Place, to bring hand-on learning (STEM) to children who are hospitalized as both a way to offer stress reduction and respite and to encourage curiosity.
- The Foundation gifted Carl, a highly trained facility dog, to Wesley Children’s Hospital
Carl works with children every day and is considered an official member of the pediatric care team. Parents report that seeing Carl is the only time their child smiled during their hospitalization.
- To support these efforts, check out https://kschildrensfoundation.org/
