Childen's Hospital Boston 300 Longwood Avenue
Boston, MA 02115
(617) 355-6000
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Clinical Services (Children's Hospital Neighborhood Partnerships):
For Parents
Image The CHNP Parent Advisory Board

The CHNP at Children's Hospital Boston needs ideas and opinions from all kinds of parents and caregivers - whether your child is in kindergarten or high school - to help us strengthen our services and to support all students in Boston's schools.

By giving us feedback, you can educate us about community needs and concerns that you have about your own children's development.

Parents from the Patrick Lyndon Pilot School, the Charles Sumner Elementary School and the Boston Arts Academy have already begun to work with us to develop the mission of the CHNP Parent Advisory Board. Eventually we would like to work with families from every CHNP school.

Goals of the Parent Advisory Board

  • Educate other families about the CHNP and the programs that it offers in the schools and about issues kids face in Boston schools.

  • Advocate for families by providing information and resources to enable parents to more effectively promote their children's healthy social-emotional development.

  • Support families by building communities within and across schools.

What Parent Advisors do

Parent Advisors:

  • attend meetings facilitated by the CHNP staff (food and treats provided)
  • act as "Ambassadors" in their children's schools
  • help plan education workshops and support groups at their schools
We understand how busy families are and welcome particpation when you are available to attend.
CHNP Family Newsletters
CHNP Family News, May 2006 (pdf)
CHNP Family News, September 2005 (pdf)
Family Tips: School

  • Time for sleep
    Children and youth need plenty of sleep from 1st - 12th grade. Turn off the TV early and read before bed. Get up earlier in the morning to allow plenty of time for groggy kids to get ready for school.

  • Time for homework
    Make a regular space and time for kids to study. It can be a desk or at the kitchen table.

  • Time to get to know your child's school

    • Introduce yourself to your child's teacher(s) and other school staff. Find out about important dates at the school, like Open House, and mark your calendar.

  • Time to eat healthy and exercise

    • Make sure your child eats a good breakfast either at home or at school. Exercising can also help kids concentrate in school.

  • Time to talk

    • Talk with your child about school every day. Ask about assignments and about friends. Show that you think school is important.
    Family Tips: Monitoring Media

  • Talk with your children about the television programs they watch, music they listen to and activities they do on the computer.

  • Check their understanding of the messages and images they see and hear.

  • Make media choices together - decide what your family will and won't view.

  • Set clear rules and expectations for all family members.
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    Join CHNP's Parent Advisory Board

    To get involved, or for more information, contact:

    Christina Nikitopoulos
    Phone: 617-919-3202
    Fax: 617-919-3229
    Email

    Helpful links for parents

    American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry:
    Facts for families on issues that affect children, teenagers and their families (in English and en Espaņol).

    Boston Babyzone:
    Free fun activities to do with your family around Boston.

    City of Boston:
    Resources for families, including schools, libraries, summer programs and health information.

    Massachusetts General Hospital School Psychiatry Program:
    Information on mental health disorders.

    New York University Child Study Center:
    Articles and resources on child mental health.

    Talklisten.org:
    A parent's guide to mental health resources in Boston (in English and en Espaņol).

    Financial aid for undocumented students or illegal aliens
    City Colleges of Chicago Financial Aid Center provides info for immigrant and undocumented students and their parents.

    College Sense: How to Pay for College lists scholarships designated for those students who do not have U.S. citizenship or permanent residency.

    Fin Aid lists information about financial aid and scholarships for undocumented students and illegal aliens.

    Scholarships/ Becas (.pdf) provides a list of scholarships available to students regardless of immigration status.

    Some Helpful Websites for Scholarships for Undocumented Students

    General resources
    AboutOurKids.org, the NYU Child Study Center's Web site, has info on psychiatric and psychological services for children and their families, with emphasis on early diagnosis and intervention.

    Facts for Families, sponsored by the American Academy of Child Adolescent Psychiatry, provides concise, up-to-date information on issues affecting children, teenagers and their families.

    Mental Health America is dedicated to helping all people live mentally healthier lives.

    National Alliance on Mental Illness works to improve the lives of persons living with serious mental illness and their families.

    Talklisten.org, sponsored by the Boston Public Health Commission, provides mental health resources to parents and teens.

    Massachusetts assistance resources
    Massresources.org has information about the different types of assistance that are available to those in need living in Massachusetts.

    Screening Tools and rating scales
    Schoolpsychiatry.org

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    X The information on this website should not be taken as medical advice,
    which can only be given to you by your personal health care professional.
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