2023 Annual Report

2023

Letter from Pamela Keen

Board of Directors

Mission Statement and Programs

The Five Percent

Lucy’s Story

Pediatric Specialty Hospital

Holland’s Story

Child’s Way

Logan’s Story

Pediatric VIEW

Amara’s Story

Therapy Services

Adalay’s Story

We are the five percent.

When you look at everything that The Children’s Home of Pittsburgh has accomplished in the last year, it’s easy to forget the minute details of the everyday. Holding hands and walking down the hallway with one of our Pediatric Specialty Hospital toddlers. Playing ball with the University of Pittsburgh football players in Child’s Way. Watching a child with cortical visual impairment transform from a passive patient to an independent teenager.

These moments make every statistic, chart, and graph real and tangible, a living reminder of the most precious children and families who need our help.

I’m delighted for you to read our families’ stories that accompany our programs and services. Every penny raised supports our efforts to establish, empower and strengthen them in their journey. Lucy Montenary, the “charming and strong willed” child on the cover of this annual report, will celebrate her eighth birthday this year. Diagnosed with Trisomy 18 and a congenital heart disease prenatally, 95% of children like her die before they turn one. Lucy, however, plays with her older sisters on our adaptive outdoor playground and imagines a world of unicorns and magic. She “beat the odds” and continues to thrive.

We see so many children like Lucy come through our doors. Their families, scared and confused, leave here together, confident and proud.

Through enhanced counseling, therapy, and the establishment of early intervention programs, we continue to provide comprehensive care. The expansion of services at The Children’s Home & Lemieux Family Center reflects a vision of independence and growth, ensuring that every child and family receives the support they need to flourish.

So thank you. Thank you for your support. Thank you for your advocacy. Thank you for your investment in us and in them.

Pamela R. Keen

Pamela R. Keen, Chief Executive Officer

The Children’s Home of Pittsburgh & Lemieux Family Center BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Officers

President Theresa L. Heck

Vice President Amy Bass

Secretary Emily Landerman-Goldberg

Treasurer Julie Kline

The Children’s Home Leadership Team

Pamela R. Keen

Chief Executive Officer pkeen@chomepgh.org

Bethany Bartilson Program Relations Manager bbartilson@chomepgh.org

Beverly Brown, MD Medical Director/Hospitalist bbrown@chomepgh.org

Board Members

Newlin Archinal

Beverly Brown, M.D.

Stephanie Churchel

Ranny Ferguson

Allison Howard

Aditi Kinkhabwala

Michael McCarren

Claire McGee

Sandra Hawkins Miller

Mark Place

Julia Taylor

Marjorie Weiner

Geil Wesley Williams

Barbara E. Zawadzki, M.D.

Stacy Schesler Chief Operating Officer sschesler@chomepgh.org

C. Renee Gwin

Director of Therapy Services rgwin@chomepgh.org

Lisa Houlihan Chief Nursing Officer Lhoulihan@chomepgh.org

Kim Phillips Chief Financial Officer kphillips@chomepgh.org

Christine Roman-Lantzy, Ph.D. Pediatric VIEW Program Director croman@chomepgh.org

Erika G. Schmitt Director of Counseling and Family Support Services eschmitt@chomepgh.org

Mission Statement and Programs

The Children’s Home of Pittsburgh & Lemieux Family Center, established in 1893, is an independent, nonprofit organization with a mission to promote the health and well-being of infants and children through services that establish and strengthen the family.

Our Pediatric Specialty Hospital transitions medically fragile children home safely. Child’s Way daycare promotes clinicians and teachers who support children with health complexities. Our Adoption & Permanency staff works with children in foster care, birthparents, and adoptive families. World-renowned Pediatric VIEW focuses on pediatric cortical visual impairment. Our Counseling services address growing mental health needs. Specialized Therapy prioritizes cohesive, comprehensive treatment.

The Five Percent.

Our daughter, Lucy Alice Montenary, was diagnosed with Trisomy 18 and congenital heart disease prenatally in 2016. Trisomy 18 is a rare chromosomal condition and is usually fatal. Postnatally, 60% of children die within 2 months and more than 95% within a year.

I am honored to say that Lucy turned 7 years old last September.

She is the mere 5% who beat the odds of survival. I can say with certainty that was due to the medical, physical, and social support Lucy has received from The Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh & Lemieux Family Center.

December 20th, 2016 was Lucy’s first day at The Children’s Home and our family’s first experience being there. She was only 28 days old. I refer to The Children’s Home as our “second home,” because that is exactly how the staff and the environment feel there They have been our safe haven, our indispensable peace of mind, and we offer our endless gratitude to them.

Lucy is the youngest of four sisters. Everyone that meets her gloats how much of a pleasure it is to care for her. She is extremely charming and strong willed, has a contagious smile, is very lovable, and admires unicorns and all things magical. She has an immense personality that shines so brightly; she is truly an extraordinary and remarkable person.

The Children’s Home has impacted my life in many positive ways. The staff continues to bring empathy, acceptance, and inclusion to our family’s lives. Lucy’s sisters have been included in their sister’s care since day one; they have been able to interact and play not

only in her room but outside of her room with Lucy. There seems to be no limitation to what Lucy can do. We have access to the outdoor playground [in Child’s Way], and they have opportunities to engage in plenty of meaningful experiences.

Lucy’s sisters gained an increased capacity for empathy and a greater tolerance for individual differences at such a young age. The Children’s Home has created a safe environment for siblings of children with medical needs and a place to call their own. I recall a significant memory – I had to perform my first emergency tracheotomy change on Lucy. I was worried about how I was going to manage my other three daughters, all under the age of 10 years old. The staff had visitors dressed as princesses that day, and they played with my daughters while I did something so frightening.

I remember feeling focused and relaxed, because I knew they were happy, safe, and entertained.

- Lucy’s momma

Lucy’s Story

The nurses taught me an abundance of knowledge pertaining to nursing, which helped me gain the confidence to understand my capability, and think critically for Lucy’s medical needs. The staff improved Lucy’s wellbeing and she thrived tremendously over the years physically, socially and emotionally. I will always have immense appreciation for the Children’s Home for their patience, understanding and dedication to our family for the trust, bond and memories we have made together.

– Allison, Lucy’s Mom

Find Lucy’s Story on Our Website

Pediatric Specialty Hospital

Our 30-bed Pediatric Specialty Hospital provides familycentered care in a home-like atmosphere. Serving children from birth to age 21, we help patients transition between a tertiary care hospital and home. Nurses and support staff provide family members with individualized education and skills training on how to care for their child’s medical needs after discharge. Furthering this unique model of care is the Lemieux Family Center, where families can stay on-site for free and practice their new care-giving skills in a homelike environment.

The nurse-to-patient ratio Is low, so staff can teach hands-on care. Most days you will find nurses, PCTs, nurse practitioners, and physicians building confidence and certainty. Our clinical care is comfortable and relaxed.

5,522

TOTAL NUMBER OF PATIENT DAYS

415

TOTAL NUMBER OF PATIENTS

30

AVERAGE LENGTH OF STAY (IN DAYS)

0

NUMBER OF FAMILIES WHO RECEIVED A MEDICAL BILL

Holland’s Story

Having been at Child’s Way for nearly three years, Holland has become somewhat of a mayor there. He excitedly welcomes visitors, loves spending time with his peers, and adores the staff that works there. We know that he would not have been able to flourish in this way in another child care setting, and that the individualized and highly skilled care he receives is critical to his stability, development, and advancement.

– Jennifer, Holland’s Mom

Find Holland’s Story on our Website

Child’s Way

At Child’s way, we offer preschool, daycare, and beforeand-after-school care for medically fragile children, age birth to age 21. The first program of its kind in Pennsylvania, we opened Child’s Way in May 1998 and have since served more than 500 children and their families. Child’s Way is a dually licensed Pediatric Extended Care Center and 4 out of 4 Keystone STARS accredited program that is designed for working families as a supplement or alternative to inhome nursing.

Through Child’s Way, we offer on-site services, including fixing and fitting adaptive equipment. Our inclusive program costs $40 per day, with scholarships and financial aid available to families in need.

6,399

TOTAL NUMBER OF STUDENT DAYS

251

TOTAL NUMBER OF OPERATING DAYS

26 AVERAGE DAILY CENSUS

14

NEW STUDENTS

Logan’s Story

Her (Christine’s) CVI range assessments have helped me advocate for vision services as well as tailor his (Logan’s) private therapies to his unique needs based on his range score. Logan has made considerable progress in ALL areas and this could not have been accomplished without Dr. Roman-Lantzy’s help!

– Barbara, Logan’s Mom

Find Logan’s Story on our Website

Pediatric VIEW

This initiative treats patients with cortical visual impairment (CVI), a visual disfunction that occurs within the brain, not the eye. Within Pediatric VIEW, patients receive the tools they need to positively experience the world around them and identify objects they see in everyday life. We focus on our core mission of CVI awareness, early identification advocacy and education.

Pediatric VIEW began in the 1990s as an extension of NICU follow-up programs in a Pittsburgh-based hospital. It has been continually administered by Dr. Christine Roman-Lantzy, growing from a local program to one that serves families nationally. During the 30 years that this program has been in existence, it has positively impacted the lives of more than 2,500 neonates and pediatric patients who have experienced birth-related trauma.

1,012 CONSULTATIONS

150 INDIVIDUAL SERVICE SESSIONS

15 COUNTRIES SERVED

315 SCHOOL SUPPORT MEETINGS

10 PROFESSIONAL CONFERENCES AND SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS

She absolutely loves school and has grown, developed, and exceeded doctor’s expectations for her by leaps and bounds. She’s always doing something new and we credit that to the teachers, nurses, and therapists that have worked with her since she was an infant. Her therapists have always had open communication with us and given us so many tools and suggestions of a variety of things to do to continue to help Amara learn new skills and build upon her strengths.

– Caitlin, Amara’s Mom

Therapy Services

We have created a cohesive continuum of care for children, where our therapists, teachers and nurses work together with families to optimize a child’s individualized plan and progress. Services include occupational, physical, feeding, speech, developmental, and vision therapy and can be administered inpatient, outpatient, or through early intervention.

We specialize in complex swallowing, CVI, seating and mobility, sensory integration, splitting and casting, augmentation communication, and assistive technology.

Our philosophy is based on our belief that a child’s family is key to success at home. Our atmosphere promotes open communication, honors cultural diversity and family tradition, and utilizes individual plan of care that focuses on flexible schedules and education methods to allow for optimal family participation. Our team of therapists work with our patients daily to optimize patient outcomes and family success.

BEGAN IN JUNE

2023

3 SERVICESPEDIATRIC INPATIENT, OUTPATIENT, AND EARLY INTERVENTION THERAPY

6 SPECIALTIES –PHYSICAL, OCCUPATIONAL, SPEECH, DEVELOPMENTAL, VISION, AND FEEDING THERAPY

9

THERAPISTS

Adalay’s Story

There were many challenges along the way, including adjusting to the transition of bringing Adalay into our family and working through the logistical hurdles of adoption, but we got the support we needed from Erika and the Children’s Home every step of the way. The two years that we have had Adalay have enriched our lives in so many ways. We love to see her learn, grow, and giggle like crazy with her new sisters. We are so happy to have her, and feel that our family is finally complete.

– Jennifer and Chris, Adalay’s Parents

Adoption & Permanency/Counseling

Through our Through our Adoption & Permanency program, we have placed more than 7,000 children in permanent, loving homes since our establishment in 1893. Our staff facilitates all stages of the adoption process, providing a lifetime of support. We are also a Statewide Adoption and Permanency Network (SWAN) affiliate. SWAN services help children in the custody of Children, Youth and Family service agencies to prepare for and achieve permanency.

By expanding our Counseling services and then accepting the insurance coverage that our foster children and families have, we can now serve our foster youth internally to ensure they receive the counseling they need as soon as possible. Our existing and future families can now receive any counseling needs, rather than having to be referred elsewhere, creating a holistic culture of healing and help.

105

INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING APPOINTMENTS

25

BIRTHPARENT SUPPORT GROUP ATTENDANCE

87

ADOPTIVE FAMILY SUPPORT GROUP ATTENDANCE

15 TEEN SUPPORT GROUP ATTENDANCE

Our Volunteers

Our volunteers are kindhearted, helpful, and compassionate. They are a wonderful group of people who we are lucky to have as a part of our team and accumulated 800 hours of service in 2023. That’s more than $25,000 of in-kind support and dedication to our children and families.

We are thrilled to have our volunteers back in the building. As we continue to monitor the needs of our children and families and national health and safety trends, we have reintroduced volunteers slowly, but surely.

Also, we have expanded our volunteer opportunities to include pet therapy, ambassadors, boutique, handyperson, administrative tasks, special events, and social media, in addition to helping in the Pediatric Specialty Hospital and Child’s Way daycare.

If you are interested in becoming a regular volunteer at The Children’s Home, please fill out this inquiry form to be added to our waitlist:

Volunteers by the Numbers

TOTAL VOLUNTEER HOURS

TOP THREE VOLUNTEERS (BY HOURS)

1. Peter Sukernek – 130

David Keen – 101

Carol Ranallo – 62

VOLUNTEER GROUPS

BNY Mellon

Dawood

VOLUNTEER INQUIRIES

FedEx Cares

Gateway High School

Pittsburgh Steelers

PJ Dick Trumbull & Lindy

PNC Grow Up Great Salesforce

University of Pittsburgh Athletics

VOLUNTEER GROUP DONATIONS

BNY Mellon - $3,625

PET THERAPY VISITS

42 VOLUNTEERS FOR ANNUAL GALA 15

Gateway School District Chick Fil A Leader Academy – staff lunches and toys ($1,000 value)

PJ Dick Trumbull & Lindy –Toy and clothes ($500 value)

Salesforces - $1,000

Financial Highlights

SOURCES OF REVENUE

Medical Assistance reimbursement

Commercial patients payment

Medicaid Moderization funding

Donations/Grants/Gov Funding

Adoption fee for service

Other

Pediatric View fee for service

$7,866,575

$2,862,333

$1,886,767

$1,743,851

$932,506

$628,738

$118,608

Donation Statistics

2,762

507

Community Partners

4 Rivers Wealth Management

84 Lumber Company

A.J. and Sigismunda Palumbo

Charitable Trust

Academy of Adoption & Assisted Reproduction Attorneys, Inc.

Adorn Fine Handmade Jewelry

Aestique Plastic Surgery & MediSpa

Alla Famiglia

Allure Hair Design

Alternate Histories

Amanda Lee Glassware

AmazonSmile Foundation

American Association of Drilling Engineers

Ameriserv Financial Bank

Ann & Frank Cahouet Foundation

Anna Bauman Photography

AR Workshop Robinson

Arsenal Bowling Lanes

ASCEND Pittsburgh

Ascent Data

Assemble Pittsburgh

Aveanna Healthcare

Bantha Tea Bar

Bark & Gold Photography

BAYADA

Bayer U.S. LLC

Beacon Capital Partners LLC

Benevity Community Impact Fund

Bethel Bakery

Bethel Park Stable & DHT

BHE GT&S LLC

big burrito Restaurant Group

Blackburn’s Physicians Pharmacy

BNY Mellon

Board and Brush

Board of Public Education of Pitt

Bognar and Company

Bonterra Tech

Bridenbaugh Memorial

Bright Funds Foundation

Burn Brothers Candles Co

Cafe Conmigo

Caliente

Candylab Toys

Caruso Hair & Esthetics

CB Face Bar

Center Theatre Players

CentiMark Foundation

Chop, WOK & Talk!

Christopher’s Kitchen

City Squeakers LLC.

CleanCare

Club Pilates

Comcast

Complete Mortgage Closing Solutions, LLC

Concordia Lutheran Ministries of Pittsburgh

Constantin Imhoff Fund

Country Hammer Moonshine

CPSI

Crayola Experience Easton

Creature Art Gallery

David Alan Clothing

Dean A. Ponterio, CPA & Financial Services

Deborah A Gray Enterprises Inc

Deer Creek Winery and Watson

Estate B&B

DelGrosso’s Amusement Park

Delmont Lions Club Foundation

Dependable Drive In

DeSH & Co

Diakon-LLC

DiAnoia’s Eatery

Donghia Bros Lumber Co Inc

Don’s Appliances

Dots & Doodles

DoubleTree by HiltonPittsburgh Cranberry

DRAW Collective

DSF Charitable Foundation

Duck Donuts Pittsburgh

Duolingo

Duquesne University School of Nursing

Early Learning Resource Center for Region 5

Easley & Rivers, Inc.

East End Food Co-Op

Easter for Eli

Eat’n Park

EmTree Bath and Body

Erie Zoological Society

Erika Blair

Escape Room Pittsburgh

Ethan Allen

FedEx Ground

Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund

Fired Up

First Commonwealth Advisors

Fleet Feet

FOF Golf Association, Inc.

Freckled Flower Photography

Frontstream (Truist)

Fun Fore All

Fun Slides Carpet Skatepark

Gap Foundation

Gateway Senior High School

GBU Life

Gidas Flowers

Give Lively Foundation

Grable Foundation

Grove Avenue Design

Hahn Nursery

Halycon Salon

Ham and Cheese Photos

Hand and Stone

Harvest Valley Farms

HDR Engineering, Inc.

Health Direct Pharmacy

hGrace Confections llc

Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield

Hofbrauhaus Pittsburgh

Hoffman Electric, Inc.

Hospital & Healthsystem Assoc. of PA (HAP)

HUB International

iHeart Media

Indulge Beauty Bar

Interim Healthcare

J. Christopher and Ann C. Donahue

Charitable Fund

Jack Buncher Foundation

Jameson’s Army

JCPenney Communities Foundation

Jennie K. Scaife Charitable Foundation

Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh

Jim Shorkey Auto Group

Jo June

Katie Dean Jewelry

Katy Lynn Pottery

Keller Williams

Kendra Scott

KeyBank Foundation

Keystone Building Inspections

Kimpton Hotel Monaco Pittsburgh

Konica Minolta Business Solutions USA

Kristin Merck Photography

La Gourmandine, LLC

La Vigneta Winery

Lamar Advertising

Larrimor’s

Laser Storm Pittsburgh

LeMont Restaurant

Linda and Ben Fisher Fund

Lineage Logistics

Lisa A. Heinz Fund

Liv By The Stitch

Living Treasures

Los Sabrosos Dance Company

Maria S Allshouse LLC

Mario Lemieux Foundation

Marissa’s Cause Inc

Martha Mack Lewis Foundation

Mason’s Movement Foundation

McCune Foundation

McKamish Inc.

Mechanical Contractors Association of WPA

Mediterra Cafe

Meyer, Unkovic & Scott LLP

Micah Made Cookies

Mightycause Charitable Foundation

Milton G. Hulme Charitable Foundation

Mountaineer Casino

Myers, Moidel, Taylor P.C.

N. David & Janet M. Campbell

Family Foundation

Narcisi Winery

Nemacolin

Network for Good (Facebook)

North Pittsburgh Oral Surgery

North Shore Tavern

Nota Bene Fine Paper Boutique

Nothing Bundt Cakes

NV5 Tech and Acoustics

Omni William Penn Hotel

Onehope

Orr’s Jewelers

Oxford Athletic Club

PA Emergency Management Agency

Party Rockers PGH

Pasta Too

Paypal Giving Fund

Penn Brewery

Peterry Charitable Foundation

Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens

Pitt Ohio Nurses Association

Pittsburgh Foundation

Pittsburgh Opera

Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation

Pittsburgh Pirates

Pittsburgh Riverhounds

Pittsburgh Steelers

Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra

Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium

PJ Dick Trumbull & Lindy

PNC Financial Services Group

PNC Foundation

PPG Foundation

Premier Wealth Partners

Pressing On

Pro Football Hall of Fame

Project Linus

PromoWest

Protohaven

Rachel Robbins Photography

Raff Printing, Inc.

Ripepi Winery & Vinyard Manager

Rite Aid Foundation KidCents

Rivers of Steel

Robert Waters Fund

Roesch Family Charitable Trust

Romp n’Roll Pittsburgh

Roy A. Hunt Foundation

Russell Standard Corporation

Ryan Memorial Foundation

Saint Aidan Parish

Salon Rena

Salty Paws Pittsburgh

Sarris Candies

Scent with Love

Schwab Charitable Fund

Science Center

Scott Enterprises

Senator John Heinz History Center

Senseless

Serenity Home Services LLC

Shadyside Presbyterian Church

Sherwin Williams

Sherwood Glassworks

Shooters Golf

Simpson McCrady LLC

Sognatore Salon

Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall and Museum

Splash Lagon Indoor Water Park Resort

Spoonwood Brewing Company

Squiggle Art

Staunton Farm Foundation

Steel City Collectibles

Steel City Gamerz

Steel Goat Marketplace

Steelers Hall of Honor Museum

Steven E & Gail S Burke Foundation

Steve’s Air

Stockton Mortgage

Strasburg Scooter Tours

Strasburgh Scooters

Strassburger, McKenna, Gutnick, & Gefsky

STRIDE Fitness

Sugar Pop Press

Sun Energy Services LLC

Sweat Pittsburgh

Sweetwater Center for the Arts

Syzygy Scents

Target - Cranberry Township

Target - Downtown Pittsburgh

Target - East Liberty

Tennis Village

Tequila Cowboy

The Chocolate Moose

The Hydro Jug

The Izzie Fund

The Life Potion

The Milkshake Factory

Thomas Marshall Foundation

Thunderdome Restaurant Group

Tippins Foundation

Touchstone Crystal

Trader Joe’s East Liberty

Trax Farm

Truly Scrumptious Sweets & Treats

Turned Turquoise Jewelry

U.S. Bank Foundation

United Way of Greater Atlanta

United Way of Northeast Florida

United Way of Southwestern PA

University of Pittsburgh Dept. of Athletics

UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh

UPMC Magee Women’s Hospital

UPMC Presbyterian Shadyside

UpScaleIt

Vanguard Charitable

Victorian Finance LLC

Vision Board

W W Rearick Company, Inc.

W. I. Patterson Charitable Fund

Waffles INCaffeinated

Walk The Burgh Tours

Washington County Community Foundation

Washington Financial Charitable Foundation

Washington Wild Things

WiesnerMedia LLC

Wigle Whiskey

Winked Studio

Wood-N-You Like IT

WQED Pittsburgh

Zachary’s Mission

Zone 28