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Serving Minnesota's Children
The Pediatric Palliative Care Coalition of Minnesota (PPCCMN) is a collaboration of professionals and community representatives who want to improve pediatric palliative care in Minnesota through advocacy and education.
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We are a collaboration of professionals and community representatives who seek to improve Pediatric Palliative Care in Minnesota through education and advocacy. We work with community networks throughout Minnesota including the Twin Cities, Duluth, Rochester, Alexandria, St. Cloud, and other areas.
We strive to support and recognize the key elements of modern Pediatric Palliative Care practices, including all agencies, health care professionals, interested lay people and families who provide holistic care to children with life threatening conditions and their families.
A goal of PPCCMN is to be a unified voice to support pediatric palliative care through advocacy and education. PPCCMN works with families, friends, providers and community networks throughout Minnesota including the Twin Cities, Duluth, Rochester, Alexandria, and St. Cloud.
PPCCMN includes representatives from the following facilities and institutions:
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Parents and Community Members
Join Us for PPCCMN Meetings
Improving Pediatric Care in Minnesota
The Pediatric Palliative Care Coalition of Minnesota (PPCCMN) warmly invites MNHPC members and the general public to attend our quarterly meetings. As a dedicated collaboration of professionals and community representatives, we are committed to enhancing pediatric palliative care in Minnesota through proactive advocacy and comprehensive education. These meetings provide an invaluable opportunity to engage with key stakeholders, share insights, and contribute to meaningful discussions about improving care for our youngest patients and their families.
Whether you're deeply involved in the field or simply have an interest in supporting this vital cause, we welcome your participation. Attend all or any of the quarterly gatherings—no registration is needed, making it easy to join the conversation at your convenience. Simply use our permanent meeting link to connect with us. We look forward to seeing you there and working together towards a brighter future for pediatric palliative care in Minnesota.
2025 PPCCMN Meeting Schedule
March 18th
Noon to 1:00pm
virtual
June 17th
Noon to 1:00pm
virtual
September 16th
Noon to 1:00pm
virtual
December 16th
Noon to 1:00pm
virtual
We are a collaboration of professionals and community representatives who seek to improve Pediatric Palliative Care in Minnesota through education and advocacy. We work with community networks throughout Minnesota including the Twin Cities, Duluth, Rochester, Alexandria, St. Cloud, and other areas.
We strive to support and recognize the key elements of modern Pediatric Palliative Care practices, including all agencies, health care professionals, interested lay people and families who provide holistic care to children with life threatening conditions and their families.
Interested in joining the Pediatric Palliative Care Coalition?
Please contact Jody Chrastek Or Stephen Lunderman with any questions.
A goal of the Pediatric Palliative Care Coalition of Minnesota is to be a unified voice for providers and caregivers offering pediatric palliative care and hospice services.
We endorse the following attributes of effective pediatric palliative care:
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Every child/young person shall be treated with dignity and respect whatever their physical or intellectual ability.
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Every child/young person will be provided management of their pain and other distressing symptoms.
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Every child/family/caregiver will be provided education on palliative care and pain and symptom management appropriate to age and understanding.
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Parents and identified medical decision makers shall be acknowledged as the primary caregivers and involved as partners in all care and decisions involving their child.
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Every child/young person shall be given the opportunity to participate in decisions affecting his or her care, according to age and understanding.
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An honest and open approach shall be the basis of all communication.
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The family home shall remain the center of caring whenever possible and desired. Care away from home shall be provided in a child-centered environment by staff trained in pediatric palliative care.
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Every family shall have access to a 24-hour interdisciplinary pediatric palliative care team for flexible support in the home. The pediatric palliative care team will work in collaboration with the patient’s primary care provider.
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Every child and family shall receive emotional, psychological, and spiritual support to meet their needs in a culturally sensitive fashion. This shall begin at diagnosis and continue throughout the child’s lifetime, death, and in bereavement.
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Every family shall be entitled to an identified “key worker”, a healthcare professional or community provider who will enable the family to build up and maintain access to an appropriate network of support.
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Every family shall be given the opportunity of regular consultations with a pediatric specialist who has particular knowledge of the child’s condition.
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Every family shall have access to suitable flexible short term breaks both in their own home and away from home, with appropriate pediatric nursing and medical support.
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Every child shall have access to education, extended school opportunities, and appropriate childhood activities.
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Transition of care to adult services for adolescents and young adults will be anticipated and coordinated.
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Every family shall have timely access to appropriate social resources, consultations and referrals.
Resources
Minnesota DHS contact for questions about concurrent care for children on hospice
The Provider Help Desk numbers:
(651) 431-2700 or
(800) 366-5411
Kathleen Stewart
Email: Kathleen.Stewart@state.mn.us
Phone:
651-431-6947
Assessing Children’s Pain
Tool kit from NHPCO
Free downloadable guide regarding policies and implementation of concurrent care for children needing hospice care and their families. It is not a symptom management guide or provide medical information.
The Affordable Care Act: section 2302
This can be helpful to share with insurance or other entities that need the legislation in writing.
Pediatric Pain Assessment Scales
