While combating life-altering diseases, congenital conditions, or traumatic injuries, Blythedale’s young patients are confronted with the emotional consequences of pain, separation (from home and the familiar), and uncertainty. Children can experience deep stress related to their condition, rehabilitation or past treatments, often expressed through their behavior. TCI gives staff new skills to understand these behaviors and help children cope with intense feelings.
Developed by Cornell University’s Family Life Development Center, TCI training helps staff understand that behaviors are manifested feelings, needs and wants; that a staff member’s own feelings (fear, frustration, etc.) will influence their approach in helping a child; and all interventions should provide support and education to a child. Though developed for residential childcare organizations, TCI is now widely used in educational settings.
“TCI has been implemented worldwide in hospitals, residential facilities and school dealing with emotionally disturbed children,” said Josephine Kuhl, MD, Chief of Psychiatry at Blythedale. “Blythedale is the first medical hospital to utilize TCI to help staff meet the emotional needs of our medically fragile patients.”
The Morton K. and Jane Blaustein Foundation is based in Baltimore, Maryland and focuses its philanthropic support on educational opportunities, health and human rights.
About Blythedale Children’s Hospital
As New York’s only freestanding, specialty children’s hospital, Blythedale Children’s Hospital is dedicated to improving the health status and quality of life of children with complex medical illnesses and disabling conditions through superb multi-disciplinary patient care, teaching, research, and advocacy programs. Blythedale’
