Supporting comprehensive health care services for
Children with Cancer and Blood Disorders

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“We recognize that an appropriate, productive and meaningful education must take into
consideration patients’ specific accommodations as well as listening to the emotions of
the parents and children. Our immediate goals as The Valerie Fund education liaison are to get to know
the patients and their families and to establish protocols to educate the teachers, nurses, counselors
and administrators at the patients’ schools to ensure a successful return to school for each and every patient.”

Joann Spera Educational Liaison Morristown

Educational Liaison

The Valerie Fund Educational Liaison was established at Goryeb Children's Hospital at Morristown Medical Center in 2013. The program will expand to The Valerie Fund Center at Newark Beth Israel in 2014. The educational liaison is an advocate for patients and serves as a liaison between the patients and their schools so that students are able to access services such as home instruction, diagnostic consultations, or an Individual Educational Plan (IEP) or 504 plan so that they can continue their education throughout illness. The Educational Liaison advocates for the child at school meetings and educates the school community about childhood cancer and treatment so that they can be the best teachers and classmates possible when a patient returns.