Funding priorities
AUTISM
The Oklahoma Autism Center (OAC) is changing lives for kids on the autism spectrum. As part of the OU Health Sciences Center’s Department of Pediatrics, OAC staff work hard to make sure children with autism and their families get the support they need. From early screenings and intervention to professional training and research, they are dedicated to ensuring that children with autism have access to the highest quality providers and programs. Children in Oklahoma lack access to autism services due to cost, a shortage of certified professionals, diagnosis requirements that delay services, and the lack of care in rural areas.
CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT
The Center on Child Abuse and Neglect (CCAN) was established in the Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center in 1992. CCAN supports the treatment and prevention of child abuse and neglect and was created and led by Dr. Barbara Bonner, an internationally known expert in child abuse research, clinical services, and training. Dr. Bonner believed that an interdisciplinary approach of bringing professionals together across law, medicine, social work, law enforcement, dentistry, psychology and related fields, was the most impactful way to unite professions in a shared mission of eradicating abuse and neglect of children.
THE CHILDREN'S HEART CENTER
Our pediatric cardiothoracic surgery program is the first and only comprehensive surgical program of its type in Oklahoma. The team performs hundreds of congenital cardiac surgeries each year, ranging from the correction of relatively minor heart defects to highly complex repairs involving multiple cardiac defects or conditions. Their experience allows us to push the boundaries of possibility to achieve impressive outcome. This includes using hybrid and robotic techniques that help revolutionize their capabilities and how they provide care.
GENERAL SUPPORT
Much of the funding awarded to CHF is restricted to a specific project or program and cannot be used to address other needs. By donating general support, you give CHF the flexibility to allocate funds where they are needed most, ensuring sustainability, innovation, and a greater impact.
PALLIATIVE CARE
Imagine that your child is diagnosed with a serious, complex, or life-threatening illness. How will you navigate all the decisions to be made for your child? CHF is proud to support Dr. Rachna May and the Pediatric Palliative Care Team (PaCT) at OU Children’s Hospital, the only specialty physicians and health professionals working with pediatric palliative care patients in Oklahoma. PaCT provides support and care to children and their families to improve the patient’s quality of life by reducing pain and other difficult symptoms, while helping create a plan of care that meets their physical and emotional needs.
Sooner SUCCESS
Sooner SUCCESS, a statewide program of the OU Child Study Center, supports Oklahomans with disabilities and their families by connecting them to essential health, social, and educational services. The program helps families find resources, make referrals, and navigate complex systems while collaborating with communities to fill service gaps.