Pediatric HIV/AIDS Program (PHAP)

The Pediatric HIV/AIDS Program (PHAP) at Children’s Hospital & Research Center Oakland provides comprehensive state-of-the-art medical care and treatment for children and youth (newborn through 21 years) with known or suspected HIV infection, AIDS and AIDS related symptoms. Established in 1986, care is provided through Children’s Department of Infectious Disease.

Multidisciplinary Pediatric Healthcare Team

Being part of a Pediatric Hospital & Research Center with many specialty services in one location enables PHAP to offer highly specialized and comprehensive services for HIV/AIDS-impacted children and their families.

Our multidisciplinary approach to HIV/AIDS care means our patients benefit from collaboration among experts in pediatric care. Each child’s visit includes opportunities to meet with three or four clinicians, each focusing on the child’s special health needs from a different perspective. Each patient is supported by physicians, specialists, advanced practice nurses, clinical social workers, a nutritionist and a developmental psychologist. All are highly specialized experts in the care of children with medical problems.

Team members regularly consult with one another and are able to call on the resources that come with being part of a medical center that specializes in pediatric care and research. Subspecialists from across Children’s Hospital share their expertise to meet the special needs of HIV-infected children, coordinating their care with our team whenever they’re needed.

Comprehensive Care and Support Groups

Children’s knows that comprehensive care requires supporting the psychological and social well being as well as the emotional development of each child and family we see.

• We offer regular support groups and educational sessions for parents, siblings, older children and teens.
• Our social workers are an integral part of our multidisciplinary team and usually meet with all patients and families during clinic visits to provide support and psycho-social education.
• Between clinic visits, social workers often have phone contact with patients and/or families to follow up and provide support and case management services.
• We work closely with county AIDS case managers and adult HIV care providers, including the Adult Immunology Clinic at Highland Hospital and the youth program at the East Bay AIDS Center at Alta Bates Summit Medical Center.
• We work closely with patients and their families to address issues related to schooling, should they arise.
• We find mentors for children who might benefit from a close relationship with an adult from the community.
• For patients transitioning out of pediatric care, support begins well ahead of time and patients are facilitated in making the move to adult care.
• Group support, recreational activities and disease-specific camp opportunities are offered throughout the year for patients and their families.
  

Research and Clinical Trials

Children’s Pediatric HIV/AIDS Program offers opportunities to help scientists learn more about the disease by participating in research programs. We also work with industry-sponsored research studies, as new drugs become available. We sometimes get newer drugs through expanded-access programs.

How You Can Help

Funded almost completely by grants and donations, the HIV/AIDS program at Children's can use your help. Caring for children with HIV and AIDS is costly and challenging, but generous donations from individuals and organizations help us continue providing excellent medical care, fulfilling our commitment to improve quality of life for children with HIV and AIDS.

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Current Funding Sources: Reimbursement from insurers, including Medi-Cal and California Children’s Services, help from Ryan White CARE Act funds, research grants and an AIDS Education and Training Center grant.