Who We Care For
The Jason Program helps seriously ill children, aging from pre-birth to
20 years old and occasionally
older. These children are not expected to live more than about 25-30
years. We also help children and
adolescents who have a medical condition that causes them pain. We feel
that the best way to help our
children is to include their families, as often everyone in the family
suffers in their own way
Our Philosophy
“Giving Life to Children's Days” is our goal for all our
children. We work with families, medical
personnel, spiritual leaders, complimentary medical providers, and parent
advocates to give kids the best quality of life possible and as long a
life as nature allows. We believe that everyone can always have hope, and
we will foster and embrace that hope. We believe that parents have the
right to choose what they feel is best for their children, and we have the
obligation to provide them all the information, guidance, and support they
need to make those choices. We believe that the death of a child is one of
the most painful experiences possible, and we support families,
caregivers, and communities in expressing their grief.
Our Services
Perinatal Hospice – We work with a network of professionals that
help families whose unborn child
has a serious medical condition. We help them understand the condition,
listen to and support their
feelings, manage uncertainties at the time of birth, and provide ongoing
bereavement according to
their wishes.
Nursing Support – Our nurse offers a variety of services, including
education for families and
professionals, medical and emotional support as needed, working to see
that every child receives the
services and devices she needs, and coordinating care with local medical
teams.
Psychosocial Support – Being part of the life of a seriously ill child is
very stressful. Our social worker
cares for the ill child, siblings, and families as is needed and on their
terms. She can provide care that
may be needed long after the death of a sibling, and work in the same
manner for parents. She will
help find counselors close to home, and works with our nurse to support
caregivers.
Medical Support – Our medical director works with the child's
primary care physician or specialist to
see that the child receives the best possible care, recognizing that most
physicians who care for healthy
children rarely care for one that is dying. He will help families set
priorities and goals for their child,
discuss what might happen as a child's health fails, and make house calls
when able. He teaches other
physicians about end-of-life and comfort care, and sees that the Jason
Program team is always aware of
the best treatments available.
Caregiver Support - Caring for critically ill children and their
families is at times a very stressful task, full of emotions. Those
emotions can persist, interfering with personal relationships, sleep,
happiness, and self-esteem. The Jason Program Team can help by providing
support to an individual or to a large group. Please contact our
nursing
director if you would like help or have questions.
Bereaved Parent Network
This service is run by bereaved parents. The Jason Program invites you
to gather together with other parents/family members who have lost a child
from a life threatening illness. Meetings will be conducted on a monthly
basis at The Jason Program office. For further information, please contact
the office at (207) 773-2947 or (866) 441-4277) or
by email Childcare will be provided.
- Advice by E-mail
The Jason Program offers advice to professionals and patients about
your pediatric palliative care issues. Please use one of the links below
to send your question to the appropriate individual. Due to the nature of
communication by E-mail, we will offer direction, resources, and
suggestions, but cannot provide specific recommendations. We strongly
encourage you to discuss openly all of your thoughts with your main
physician or other member of your primary care team and follow their
advice accordingly.
