Conference moira::parenting_v3

    I don't know anything about that specific area but I am a volunteer
    at Childrens Hospital in Boston.  I'd say, check and see if there is
    a Childrens Hospital in that area.  You'd be doing a great thing and
    you definately get more than you give!
    
    Marie

    There is a Chilren's Hospital in Dallas, as well as several other
    hospitals. I will check to see if there is a program in this area for
    you.
    
    Glad to have you aboard,
    
    Leeann Campagna, SCA, Dallas
    

Re: .1, Marie, I heard about this volunteer program at Childrens Hospital in 
Boston about a year ago and have been very interested in doing this type of 
Volunteering.  I however am not crazy about going into Boston. Do you know of 
other Hospitals that have this type of program or do you know where I could
call to find out?  I live in Methuen, MA and was hoping that there would be
a Hospital nearby that I could volunteer at.

Rosemarie

If you're in Methuen, why don't you try calling hospitals in Lawrence?
I'd just grab the yellow pages, and ask for the volunteer department
in every hospital listed.  You might also ask the Mass Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty to Children (also in Lawrence) for suggestions.

    Rosemarie
    
    You could call your local hospital and ask if they have a volunteer
    services department.  If so, ask what their volunteers do.  I live
    in Fitchburg and the hospital there does have volunteers but they don't
    do what I am interested in.  I love babies and really wanted to spend
    time cuddling the ones who really need it.  Normally the AIDS babies
    don't have parents visiting because their parent/parents are too sick
    or gone (since they have AIDS also).  They really need the special 
    attention.  I'm not sure how many babies or children are treated at local 
    hospitals but there must be atleast a few.   Also, I spend time with all 
    sick babies, not just AIDS and cocaine babies.  Some have pneumonia, 
    digestive problems, etc.  It's hard for them to be in the hospital.  They 
    enjoy a friendly face so much and even if these kids have parents,
    sometimes they need to be home with other children or working.  It makes 
    the parents feel better that someone caring is spending time with their
    child when they can't be there..... can you tell I LOVE IT!  
    Anyway, try the local hospitals.  They can give you some information.
    
    Good luck!!  You'll get so much more in return.
    
    Marie

   Hi,
   
   Just a curious question, actually, but what sorts of precautions do
   you need to take when caring for contagious infants in the hospital
   like that?  I realize that AIDS isn't contagious - not in that way
   - but some of the other sicknesses infants catch could be.  Do you
   need to wear masks and the like?   Actually, I suppose even for
   AIDS infants, you would need masks, but for *their* protection, not
   your own, right?
   
   - Tom

    Precautions are different for each child depending on the illness.
    Volunteers at Children's aren't required to change diapers but I do.
    If we do change a diaper, we are required to wear gloves for every child
    since we aren't allowed to ask what is wrong with the child (patient
    confidentiality).  I've worked on the same unit for 6 years so the
    nurses know me and sometimes will tell me what's wrong with the child.
    The children who need some sort of precautions have a sign at their bed
    telling you to wear gloves, and/or gown, and/or mask, and a reminder to 
    wash hands.  The only time I've had to wear a mask is if the child has 
    some respiratory infection so I don't always need to wear a mask with the
    AIDs babies.  Babies with pneumonia and respiratory virus' often require 
    you to wear a mask.  Most often the only requirement with the AIDs babies 
    are wearing a gown, gloves and washing your hands after.  And, yes,
    sometimes I do wear a gown just to protect the babies from germs I
    might bring in off the street.  Since I work with babies from newborn
    to about 2yrs, I normally wear a gown for their protection more than
    mine.  We are also required to wash our hands before picking a baby up
    and after we leave to go to another baby even if they are not on
    precautions so you don't take germs from one baby to the next.
    
    Marie
    
                                                              

Wonderful - another family member in Dallas!!!!  Please look me up when you
get here.  Will you still be working for DEC???

Please check with Parkland Hospital.  It has the most cases of babies born
with AIDS and alcohol/drug addiction.  They can always use more volunteers
to hold these little darlings.

See you soon....
Kristen

    Does anyone know of any of the hospitals in Worcester Massachusetts
    (and surrounding areas) needing such volunters?  Also, do they require
    any experience ?

    I would certainly think that they need volunteers of this type at
    U-Mass medical center in Worcester.  Call and ask if they have a
    volunteer services department.  At Childrens Hospital you don't need
    experience.  I did have to apply, interview with the director of
    volunteers, and attend a three hour training session (what to do, not
    to do, precautions, hospital policy, etc.).  My experience was being a
    mom but there are young, single people there volunteering.
    
    Good luck!!
    
    Marie

   re: Worcester 
   
   You might want to check with Memorial Hospital as well.  I
   understand they have a very significant pediatric and neo-natal ICU
   area - given that, they may also have need for your services.
   
   - Tom
   

    I'm currently attending training sessions to be a child advocate in the
    Worcester area.  One of the speakers at our training was a pediatric
    psychiatrist from UMASS Medical, and I asked her about baby rocking 
    programs.  She said that UMASS has a huge volunteer program, including
    working with children of all ages, but that if I was interested
    specifically in infants, I should check out Memorial Hospital instead. 
    I haven't gotten a chance to call yet, but if anyone does, I'd like to
    hear what you find out.
    
                                                 Tracy

    Also try Framingham Union Hospital.  Their pedi unit is an extention of the
    Boston Children's Floating Hospital, and even though my personal
    experience with the unit was limited to two nights, they like many
    hospitals just didn't have the staff to spend tons of time individually
    with the kids.
    
    My experience with UMass, even though they have "HUGE" volunteer
    numbers, is that the Child-Life Specialists are always grateful to have
    someone to assist in the playroom or pedi unit.  I often would get AJ
    settled down to sleep and go help them when he was in, I was always
    greatly recieved!
    
    Lyn