The Mount Sinai Kravis Children’s Hospital developed a Family Advisory Council (FAC), a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Advisory Council (NFAC) and a Youth Advisory Council (YAC) in recognition of the crucial role that patients and families play in guiding health care. Beyond patients, parents and professionals working together to care for a child’s health care needs and a broader partnership with families, helps the Hospital make decisions about programming, policies, and facility design. All council members guide our priorities and planning.

The mission of all councils is to assure the delivery of the highest standard of comprehensive and compassionate health care. Members work in partnership to assure communication and collaboration among patients, families, caregivers and staff; promote patient and family advocacy; and propose and participate in developing pediatric programs, services, medical education, facility design, and policies.

Membership

All councils meet monthly in the evening; members are asked to commit to seven out of ten meetings, September through June. Seasonal members deepen their level of engagement by serving on committees, workgroup, or projects.

We provide orientation to all council members in the mission and values of the Kravis Children’s Hospital, the principles of family-centered care, and the philosophy of care at the hospital. In addition, council members learn about how families can play a role in furthering the Kravis Children’s Hospital’s long-term strategic plan.

The Child Life Coordinators provide training, support, and administrative oversight of this program. If you are interested in applying to become a FAC, NFAC or YAC member, please call Morgan Stojanowski at 646-939-5018.

The selection committee is looking for candidates who are:

• Confident in their views, but able to see and appreciate many different perspectives
• Reflective and insightful
• Communicative and cooperative with parents whose backgrounds, experiences, and styles differ
• Positive about the hospital and enthusiastic about its mission of excellence in patient care, education, and research
• Good listeners
• Able to fulfill the time commitment