Providence Trinitycare Hospice Foundation

Programs: Trinitykids care programstarted in 2001, trinitykids care remains the only dedicated pediatric hospice and palliative care program in los angeles and orange counties. The program helps children with life-limiting conditions live as normal a life as possible, for as long as possible, in their own homes. The program gives these families access to a continuum of total care with the primary goal of keeping the children in their homes with their families. What began as a true labor of love with three children grew to serve more than 300 children in 2014. Funding is used to support the clinical staff, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment and other supplies.

the gathering place a center for loss and life and life transitions, offering counseling to those in the community who have suffered the death of a loved one from any cause. It is staffed by licensed professionals, graduate-level mental health interns and trained volunteers. The gathering place serves children ages 5 through adults - whether or not their loved one was in our hospice service. In 2014, the program provided services to 273 bereaved community members, who received services that included one-on-one counseling meetings, and involvement in over 22 different support groups to help these individuals through the grieving process.

foundation funding supports the programs of the providence institute for human caring - the focus is on these key areas:* sharing expertise and best practices among our clinicians* offering educational programs for our clinicians and those from other health care providers* increasing training and support services among community organizations* supporting and accelerating community-based care through educational forums* elevating the importance of this issue nationally through news media, academic publications, and live presentations before both professional and public audiencesthe institute will bring greater attention to the personal side of illness, dying, caregiving and grieving. The goal is to offer clinicians the resources, training and support they need to have meaningful conversations with patients and families about underlying worries and desires related to a medical condition, so that together they can develop the best approach to care. The institute will also reach out to communities to help people understand how they can be more engaged in their own care, how to support loved ones who are experiencing medical issues and how best to cope with the strains of caregiving and, later, the strains of grief. Providence institute for human caring's executive director/chief medical officer is nationally known hospice and palliative care expert dr. Ira byock.