The program is supported through a grant from the Department of Health in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia began a Family Advisory Council in 1996, to work with senior administrative staff and physician leadership at the strategic planning level. Family members meet periodically with physicians and staff. They work side by side with those planning and creating the programming of the hospital. Recruitment for the Family Advisory Council occurs yearly.
Family members serve for two years.
Assistance is offered for families to participate as fully as possible, by covering child care expenses, parking and transportation expenses. This program, commenced in 1996, orients families in how to cope with the often confusing healthcare system. Partners for Excellence involves a parent advocate teaching other parents about the many resources of The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Inpatient families, outpatient families and those considering The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia for their pediatric needs will find this a useful one-hour introduction to using the network's many resources effectively. Those attending Partners for Excellence receive a notebook of information to begin a family medical record.