Community outreach
As part of Advocate Health, Advocate Children’s Hospital is the largest provider of pediatric services in Illinois with two main campuses in Oak Lawn and Park Ridge. In addition to the care we provide on our campuses, we support people within their communities through our own programs and through partnerships with other organizations.
Creating a future where everyone in every community gets the quality care they need
Mobile dental program
A dental office on wheels, the dental van provides quality, comprehensive and affordable dental care to underserved adults and children throughout the Chicago metro area.
In April 2021, a program was established with partnership in the Advocate Health Dental Program at Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center. The fully staffed and equipped pediatric mobile dental van covers Chicagoland and spends two days a week at the main campuses of Advocate Children’s Hospital in Oak Lawn and Park Ridge.
The dental health van provides on-site, comprehensive dental care including exams, X-rays, cleanings and fillings to all children regardless of insurance status from birth to 17 years of age.
As the program grows, plans call for the dental van to jointly travel alongside the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile® one day a week to the schools and communities visited to bring medical, dental and health care resources to underserved communities where they are needed the most.
Food insecurity
We screen patients and their families for potential lack of access to healthy food options during visits to the Ronald McDonald Care Mobiles® in more than 20 communities across the Chicago metropolitan area. Backpacks with food items are given to families that appear to need them during their visits to the mobile health clinics.
Bike helmet program
In partnership with the Safe Kids organization, our bike helmet program is dedicated to eliminating preventable injuries. Advocate Kids offers year-round fitting of bike and multi-sport helmets for toddlers, kids and adults. Since 2017, we have sold nearly 1,750 bike helmets after properly fitting individuals.
Car seat safety
Launched in 2015, the car seat safety program is one of our leading injury prevention initiatives. In 2020, the team had more than 2,000 car seat encounters with many being completed virtually due to COVID.
Children’s Health Resource Centers
Our two main campuses have Children’s Health Resource Centers that can be used by patients and parents alike to find reliable health information. There is a full digital library available with access to e-books in many languages. Patients and siblings of patients learn about what happens in the hospital through a medical play area that includes teaching dolls, medical supplies, table games and computer games.
Community partnerships
We have established relationships in the community with organizations like Urban Initiatives, Healthy Schools campaign, Peer Health Exchange, March of Dimes, Kohl Children’s Museum and the Oak Lawn Children’s Museum.
Ronald McDonald Care Mobile®
The Ronald McDonald Care Mobile® is a fully-equipped clinic on wheels that provides care to underserved communities in the area. The Care Mobile removes barriers to care by taking immunizations, routine check-ups, screenings, and other services where they are needed.
HealthySteps
HealthySteps is an evidence-based, team-based pediatric primary care program that promotes the health, wellbeing and school readiness of babies and toddlers. They concentrate on work with families living in low-income communities.
Donate to pediatric community health
Your gift will help us continue to serve the community through each program listed above. Whether it’s through purchasing bike helmets and food or providing vaccinations and dental exams, our programs rely on the generosity of donors like you.
For more information about making a gift, contact us via email.
The Advocate Health Care Charitable Foundation offers other ways you can support Advocate Children's Hospital.
