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- Pediatric Nurse and Social Worker
- Therapeutic Day Care
- After-School Program
- Summer Programs
- Meeting Children's Needs
Programs and Services for Children
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner and Pediatric Therapist
A pediatric nurse practitioner from Mercy Medical Center's Children Health Outreach Program assesses children’s health needs, obtains inoculation and health records and schedules needed health care. A pediatric therapist from Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center works with the children in therapy, helping them to process their experiences and feelings in a safe environment. The therapeutic process helps children gain insight and improve their patterns of behavior. She refers children for psychiatric evaluation when necessary and works with parents in developing skills and strategies to meet the complex needs of their children.
Therapeutic Day Care
Shelter infants and toddlers attend therapeutic day care where they have access to medical and educational professionals. The infants receive comprehensive assessments, early intervention services, family support services, parent education, counseling and specialized childcare at the PACT Program, an affiliate of Kennedy Krieger Institute. Shelter toddlers attend pre-school programs and receive diagnostic assessments at The Ark, a program of Episcopal Community Services of Maryland.
After-School Program
Currently, the after-school program operates Monday through Thursday from 3:30 to 6:00 p.m., providing homework assistance, academic support and recreational activities. Many of our children have learning disabilities and delays in educational achievement. The educational support given to shelter children in the after-school program is necessary for academic success.
Two certified teachers staff our after-school program. Annastasia Kezar, our children's social worker from Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, provides counseling to children and their families as they deal with the stress of being homeless. Betty Schultz from Mercy Medical Center's Children Health Outreach Program, visits the children on site, consults about health issues and refers them to medical providers.
Summer Programs
The majority of our shelter children attend St. Vincent de Paul of Baltimore Camp St. Vincent. In the week before and after their camp experience, BOS operates a full-day, on site summer program. This program consists of field trips in Baltimore City followed by communication exercises. In summer 2008, our children enjoyed trips to The Baltimore Zoo, The National Aquarium, The Downtown Sailing Center, Port Discovery – Children's Museum and enjoyed the inner harbor and paddle boat rides.
Meeting Children's Needs
BOS ensures that children's basic clothing needs are met. Children in the shelter receive new school uniforms, a coat, shoes, socks and underwear. BOS also provides school supplies and backpacks for each child so they can begin the school year appropriately.