Father’s Day Service Program

June 2025

We hope you can join us to help local dads feel better this Father’s Day.

You can make a positive difference by purchasing an item we still need from our Amazon Wish List. We’re especially looking for iPhone chargers, earbuds, coffee mugs, and Keurig coffee pods. We’re putting together gift bags of the items on our Wish List to give dads a “boost”.

Gift bags will be going to fathers of children who have complex medical conditions and will be spending Father’s Day at their hospitalized child’s bedside at one of the following collaborating medical centers: Children’s National Hospital, Children’s National’s Rehabilitation & Specialized Care Center, the Kennedy Krieger Institute, and John’s Hopkins Children’s Center.

All contributions must be made for delivery by Sunday, June 8, 2025. We are grateful to already have volunteers to fill the gift bags and collaborating staff members to deliver them to fathers.

 
 

Outcomes of “Breaking the Silos”: May 20, 2025 Virtual Event

Eliana’s Light was thrilled to support the 7Q Foundation and collaborate alongside the NOVA DD Group to collaboratively organize this first-ever convening of providers, advocates, and change makers who came together to build partnerships, share ideas, and create real impact.

Participants (e.g., therapists, educators, non-profit founders, etc. who support families that include children who have medical complexities):

✨ Connected across disciplines

🤝 Discussed how to barriers to collaboration

🌱 Focused on the whole child and whole family

🌎 Became part of something bigger than their organization/business

Please read the key take-aways that the initiator, Hafsa Salahuddin, founder of the 7Q Foundation wrote and email us if you’d like to become involved:

 

Author: Hafsa Salahuddin | The 7Q Foundation Date: May 20 2025

Abstract: The "All Providers' Convention: Breaking the Silos," hosted by the 7Q Foundation in collaboration with NOVA IDD and Eliana's Light on May 20, 2025, brought together cross-disciplinary professionals to address systemic fragmentation in care delivery for neurodiverse and medically complex populations. Drawing on personal narrative, professional expertise, and live collaborative sessions, the conference proposed a model for holistic, coordinated care driven by shared goals and family empowerment. This article synthesizes key insights, analyzes the barriers to integration, and offers evidence-based recommendations informed by literature on care coordination, trauma-informed practice, and systems thinking.

  1. Introduction: Families raising children with complex needs often face fragmented services across medical, educational, and therapeutic sectors. These silos hinder effective care, burden families, and diminish outcomes. This paper explores a multi-stakeholder convening designed to challenge that reality and catalyze change. The research is grounded in conference proceedings and supported by peer-reviewed studies, policy frameworks, and real-world examples of integrated care.

  2. The Problem of Fragmentation: Research shows that disconnected services increase caregiver burden, lead to duplication or gaps in care, and result in poor developmental and educational outcomes (Bromley et al., 2004; Kuo et al., 2012). Studies in pediatric care coordination reveal that families with multiple service providers often serve as the sole point of integration, leading to chronic stress and health disparities (Antonelli et al., 2009). Service fragmentation is not only inefficient but also inequitable, disproportionately impacting families of color, immigrant communities, and those with limited access to information or financial resources.

  3. The Conference Model: Hosted virtually on May 20, 2025, the "Breaking the Silos" convention engaged professionals: BCBAs, therapists, social workers, educators, attorneys, and caregivers. The event included:

  • A keynote grounded in lived experience and parent advocacy

  • A cross-sector panel with real-world case studies

  • Breakout groups addressing implementation barriers and enablers

  • Real-time digital whiteboarding and chat participation for inclusive feedback

  • A closing plenary with co-created action steps and solution design

3.1 Defining Holistic Care: Conference participants defined holistic care as multidimensional, trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and family-centered. Holistic care addresses physical, emotional, educational, financial, and social needs. This definition echoes frameworks found in Whole Child education models (ASCD, 2007), medical home models in pediatrics (AAP, 2012), and trauma-informed care systems (SAMHSA, 2014). Participants noted that holistic care must go beyond compliance-driven models and shift toward community-grounded practices that reflect lived experiences.

3.2 Facilitators – All Providers’ Convention May 20, 2025 | Virtual Networking Event

Core Themes and Solutions From the discussions, five priority strategies emerged:

4.1 Collaborative Follow-Through Families emphasized the difference between passive referral and active, coordinated implementation. Literature supports that integrated care plans and team-based follow-up improve health and behavioral outcomes (Epstein et al., 2008). Participants noted the importance of cross-training, shared documentation, and real-time communication channels to prevent missed steps in execution.

4.2 Empowering Families Panelists and attendees urged a cultural shift from service delivery to co-creation. Research supports that family-professional partnerships result in higher satisfaction and developmental gains (Dunst & Trivette, 2009). Conference attendees advocated for parent training, advisory roles, and feedback mechanisms to ensure their voices shape program design and evaluation.

4.3 Shared Digital Infrastructure Lack of interoperable systems is a major barrier to collaboration. Participants discussed ethical, secure digital tools like Diverrx.com that would allow providers and families to coordinate care more effectively. According to Kuo et al. (2012), integrated electronic records and shared platforms increase efficiency and continuity, especially when anchored in family consent and privacy protection.

4.4 Curated Resource Pathways At diagnosis, families are often overwhelmed with information. Panelists recommended simplified, vetted roadmaps that prioritize next steps, relevant services, and funding sources. Studies suggest tailored information at key moments reduces decision paralysis and caregiver stress (Zwaanswijk et al., 2010). Participants suggested a family-facing care map prototype and multilingual support.

4.5 Professional Care Navigators The role of an informational consultant or care coordinator was widely endorsed. These positions help families navigate complex systems and improve access. Antonelli et al. (2009) identified care coordination as a cost-effective method to improve outcomes and reduce disparities. Participants emphasized lived-experience hiring, cross-agency funding models, and wraparound navigator training as success factors.

5. Discussion The conference revealed that real change depends on system redesign, cross-sector training, and policy alignment. Challenges remain—funding, data privacy, role clarity—but the appetite for reform is strong. Participants left with concrete tools and new alliances. Many proposed next steps included the creation of regional collaborative circles—ongoing working groups designed to promote relationship-building, knowledge exchange, and implementation of best practices. These circles would facilitate sustainable co-design across roles and organizations. Additional next steps included pilot projects with co-treatment models and parent-led evaluation teams to monitor impact.

6. Conclusion Breaking the silos is not a metaphor—it is a mandate. As providers, families, and systems reimagine care, events like this lay the groundwork for integrated solutions. The 7Q Foundation commits to convening, equipping, and innovating alongside those who dare to build better for our most vulnerable populations.

References:

  • Antonelli, R., McAllister, J. W., & Popp, J. (2009). Making Care Coordination a Critical Component of the Pediatric Health System.

  • ASCD (2007). The Learning Compact Redefined: A Call to Action.

  • AAP Council on Children with Disabilities. (2012). Patient- and Family-Centered Care Coordination: A Framework for Integrating Care for Children and Youth Across Multiple Systems.

  • Bromley, J., Hare, D. J., Davison, K., & Emerson, E. (2004). Mothers supporting children with autistic spectrum disorders.

  • Dunst, C. J., & Trivette, C. M. (2009). Capacity-building family-systems intervention practices.

  • Epstein, R. M., Fiscella, K., Lesser, C. S., & Stange, K. C. (2010). Why the nation needs a policy push on patient-centered health care.

  • Kuo, D. Z., Houtrow, A. J., Arango, P., Kuhlthau, K. A., Simmons, J. M., & Neff, J. M. (2012). Family-centered care: Current applications and future directions in pediatric health care.

  • SAMHSA (2014). SAMHSA’s Concept of Trauma and Guidance for a Trauma-Informed Approach.

  • Zwaanswijk, M., et al. (2010). Parental information needs in pediatric care.