Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Many children with medical complexities stay longer in hospitals after clinical treatment is complete but parents are not fully equipped to manage their care at home and home care services have not been planned. This delay may result in days, weeks, sometimes months in additional time in the hospital. Almost Home Kids provides these services. When a child is transferred from the hospital to our organization, we provide transitional care while providing parents with the necessary training so they feel confident and competent when they take their child home. We also coordinate all the home care services and community resources their child will need. We support the child with any additional services they may need including speech and physical therapies. With the increase in population of children with medical complexities, we offer a unique care model to help them successfully transition from hospital to home. AHK provides respite care for planned breaks or unplanned emergencies.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Respite Care
The short term stay is for a child who has complex medical complexities and/or may be technology dependent. From a 24 hour stay to one lasting up to 14 days, each child is provided with medical/nursing care and recreational activities in a secure and therapeutic environment. Families may choose this program for a variety of circumstances: temporary absence of private duty nursing care at home, parent illness, vacations, family emergencies and much needed rest.
Transitional Care
This is a short term stay, up to 120 days, and provides the bridge between hospital and home for a child who is clinically ready for discharge from a hospital, yet important factors need to be considered in order to bring the child home safely. The family may need further support through training and equipment education regarding the clinical needs of the child and/or nursing agency staffing plan.
Transportation Respite Care
Children who have medical complexities can be safely transported from their home to AHK, under the supervision of a medical professional, for respite care. Children with complex medical conditions that rely on medical technology require a significant amount of supplies and back up equipment to travel with them – the logistics of moving their supplies in addition to transporting the child safely can also be difficult for families. Having a transportation service like Angel Wheels makes the process manageable and efficient. The program is a support arm of the respite care program and provides an easy way for families to more effectively utilize respite services at Almost Home Kids.
Sleep Medicine
AHK provides sleep studies and sleep medicine consults onsite at our Chicago facility. Thanks to our affiliation with Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago we are able to provide evaluations by the Lurie Children’s sleep medicine team, with reports and recommendations going to the child’s primary care physician and our own AHK Medical Director.
Where we work
Accreditations
Annual Survey - Division of Specialized Care for Children 2020
Annual Survey - Illinois Department of Public Health 2020
Affiliations & memberships
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northwest Indiana 2012
Children's Hospital of Chicago Medical Center 2013
OSF HealthCare Children's Hospital of Illinois 2016
External reviews

Photos
Videos
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Evaluation documents
Download evaluation reportsProvide 6000 Days of Transitional Care annually
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Children and youth, People with disabilities, Economically disadvantaged people
Related Program
Transitional Care
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Data is reported on fiscal year basis. Days of Care outcome fluctuates due to census at referring hospitals, home-health nurse staffing challenges occurring in the community and COVID-19 restrictions.
Provide 600 Days of Respite Care annually
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Children and youth, People with disabilities, Economically disadvantaged people
Related Program
Respite Care
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Children can come to AHK for 2 - 14 days annually for Respite Care, giving parents and caregivers a much-needed break from continuous caregiving. Emergency Respite and Transportation also offered.
Number of families trained
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Children and youth, People with disabilities, Economically disadvantaged people
Related Program
Transitional Care
Type of Metric
Outcome - describing the effects on people or issues
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
Parents and caregivers complete 50+ training modules; including a 24-hour stay to demonstrate competencies before transitioning their child home safely with support systems in place.
Total number of volunteer hours contributed to the organization
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Population(s) Served
Children and youth, People with disabilities, Economically disadvantaged people
Type of Metric
Input - describing resources we use
Direction of Success
Increasing
Context Notes
AHK values the # of volunteer hours over the number of volunteers; the # of groups returning to volunteer and the # of in-kind donation drives done by community groups. Note: paused during COVID-19
Our Sustainable Development Goals
Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
At Almost Home Kids our mission is to provide a bridge from hospital to home for children with medical complexities by:
• Educating and empowering families with the training, skills and confidence needed to care for their child at home
• Coordinating all the community-based medical and social services the child and family will need
• Providing respite care when needed in a home-like setting
Vision: We envision a day when every family, every community and every child with medical complexities has access to transitional care and the unsurpassed standards of AHK .
We believe that every child with medical complexities deserves to grow up in their own homes and communities surrounded by their family, neighbors and friends. AHK provides the families with the skills, resources and on-going support parents need to successfully transition their child from hospital to home and to keep them at home, not in an institution.
The infrastructure to properly care for this segment of children needs to be broadened as there are many gaps in the existing system of care. Another mission of AHK is to continuously identify the gaps and create new programs and services to address those needs. One of the gaps AHK identified is the the need for more physicians to be trained in how to care for children who are medically complex. This population continues to grow 5% each year. Physicians and clinical providers must be prepared to serve this segment of pediatrics across the care continuum. Yet, most medical school students and residents have little opportunity to receive this training and education in a community setting. In 2015, AHK launched the Keith Veselik, M.D. Medical Education Program targeted to medical school students, residents, fellows, and community physicians to help build and support the provider community to care for children with complex medical needs.
Another new program initiated by AHK in 2019 is The Coleman Foundation Scholars Program for Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics, Mental Health and Complex Care for Advance Practice Registered Nurses developed to address the shortage of developmental and behavioral pediatric specialists. Parents and providers have reported that families face 9-12-month delays to see a subspecialist in Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics (DBP) for evaluation and treatment interventions and the same is true for children and adolescents waiting to see a psychiatrist for mental health services. This new initiative educates APRNs in the subspecialties of Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics, Mental Health, and Complex Care. With advanced training, APRN’s will be able to assess, manage, co-manage, and make referrals as needed.
Our annual goal is to raise $2 million budget shortfall and to continue to be able to provide respite and transitional care to children with medical complexities. Additional funding is also needed to support new programs and services.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
The clinical outreach team works with area hospitals and physician groups to raise awareness of AHK’s services, help them identify appropriate children in need of our services, and educate them on the referral process. We have received many referrals from these hospitals and physicians over the years. AHK has become a trusted resource for referring physicians.
Our community outreach team meets with organizations to increase awareness of AHK and the work we do. Many of our volunteers joined us as a result of these outreach efforts. Community organizations help maintain the house and add to the beautiful backyard at the Naperville site. Pre-pandemic, many volunteers came to the AHK sites to engage with the children in different activities - reading, playing or just being there with them.
AHK created a new position in 2019, Director of Sponsored Programs, to develop, implement and lead AHK's educational programs, including MEP and APRN Scholars, with additional ones in development.
In order to close the funding gap between revenue and operational expenses, AHK actively fundraises throughout the year to close a $2 million shortfall. This helps AHK continue to provide the transitional and respite care, parent training and care coordination plus additional supportive services such as therapies, sleep medicine and nutrition consultation to children with medical complexities and their families. The Development team works with individuals, corporations, family foundations, donor advised funds and other entities to seek donations and grants to sustain AHK and its work.
To help expand AHK beyond that state of Illinois, AHK’s Business Development team meets with interested children’s hospitals across the country. The hospitals have also shared that there are not any care models such as Almost Home Kids in their market. They acknowledge the value what we have to bring to the children they serve.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
We have a Medical Advisory Committee comprising of over 30 medical professions from 17 different Illinois medical centers. Committee members share pertinent information about issues they are facing, new policies and procedures they have implemented and other information relevant to this group. Members have learned from each other and many have taken some new ideas back to their organizations.
Currently AHK raises $2 million annually from the private sector via grants, special events, major giving, direct mail and on-line giving. Our philanthropic support comes from 27% individuals, 27% foundations, 4.5% corporations, 29% civic groups, 8% estates, and 4.5% in-kind. Our Board of Directors is committed to fundraising and AHK has two local President's Councils, a Young Associates Board, and several special event committees who work with our development director, marketing director, a development coordinator and a community outreach coordinator to fund raise and build awareness for Almost Home Kids. We have robust media presence that continues to grow.
Our clinical leadership staff and marketing and communications director work continuously to update our collateral material and make sure it is readily available in physician offices, case management/social worker offices and available for parents and caregivers of children with medical complexities. Our presentations are comprehensive and provide all the necessary information to make transitioning children with medical complexities through our program seamless.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
Knowing the number of children that require our services (there are over 14,000 children with medical complexities in Illinois) and having served over 2,200 to date we know our services are vital, and that it is essential that more Almost Home Kids are built to cope with the growing need.
Our expansion plans have resulted in opening an Almost Home Kids in Chicago in 2012 and an affiliation agreement with Children's Hospital of Chicago Medical Center in 2013. In 2018, AHK opened a site in Peoria, Illinois owned by and affiliated with OSF HealthCare Children's Hospital of Illinois. We are currently looking to affiliate with other children's hospitals and healthcare systems across the country wherever the need is high.
We have added new services to our care model including music therapy and sleep medicine. AHK also added new educational programs - Medical Education Program (MEP) and the APRN Scholar program. To date, the MEP has had 600 learners participate and the APRN Scholar program is in year 2 of operations.
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
-
How is your organization collecting feedback from the people you serve?
Electronic surveys (by email, tablet, etc.), Case management notes, Constituent (client or resident, etc.) advisory committees, Suggestion box/email,
-
How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To identify where we are less inclusive or equitable across demographic groups, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve, to identify trends,
-
What significant change resulted from feedback?
Family members shared that they have difficulty finding a doctor that treats children with medical complexities in their practice. They shared 6 - 12 month wait times to see a Developmental Behavioral Pediatrician. We have developed two programs: The Keith Veselik, M.D. Medical Education Program and The Coleman Foundation Scholars Program for Advance Practice Registered Nurses in Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics, Mental Health and Complex Care. These educational offerings allow nurses, medical students, residents and fellows to gain an in depth understanding of this unique population of children. Program goals include reducing the workforce shortage of professionals who can screen, evaluate and diagnose behavioral conditions as well as empower the next generation of care givers.
-
With whom is the organization sharing feedback?
The people we serve, Our staff, Our board, Our funders, Our community partners,
-
Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
-
What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
We don't have any major challenges to collecting feedback,
Financials
Unlock nonprofit financial insights that will help you make more informed decisions. Try our monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights?
Learn more
about GuideStar Pro.
Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Almost Home Kids
Board of directorsas of 02/22/2022
Mr. Josh Prangley
Greenhill
Term: 2011 - 2022
Mrs. Theresa Danko
Cotter Consulting
Term: 2010 - 2022
Michael Hoffman
Elmhurst Hospital
Bill Neustadt
Retired, Neuco, Inc.
Brenda Davis
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago
Michelle Stephenson
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago
Julia Chappell
Ethan Allen
Theresa Danko
Cotter Consulting
Marty Koehler
Assurance
Matthew Mullarkey
Centerpoint Properties
Christopher Schenkenberg
Grant Thornton
Yonhee Gordon
JMG Financial
Praveen Adhi
McKinsey & Company
Jen Horsley
Bluewater Technology
Kyle Olson
Baker & McKenzie
Patricia Bellock
Retired State Representative
Bregan Herrold
Cushman Wakefield
Deborah Grisko
Almost Home Kids
Josh Prangley
Greenhill
Michelle Baker
Swoon
Richard Mark
Retired
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
-
Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Yes
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? GuideStar partnered on this section with CHANGE Philanthropy and Equity in the Center.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
Gender identity
Sexual orientation
Disability
No data