Academic Advocacy Program

School is an integral part of normal life for children, teens and young adults. Cancer or other serious illness can disrupt the sense of normalcy and connection it provides, beyond how it may affect their studies.  
 
Our program is designed around helping young patients continue their education. That helps them maintain that sense of normalcy through socialization and continued academic progress during treatment and recovery.
 

City of Hope’s Academic Advocacy Program helps children, teens and young adults:

  • Feel more normal and adjusted by keeping pace with their peers
  • Increase self-esteem through opportunities for achievement
  • Provide motivation to stay socially and mentally engaged
  • Reduce depression and anxiety associated with treatment
  • Have smooth transitions back to school after treatment

 

The Academic Advocacy Program provides services for all phases of education, including:

  • Preschool
  • Elementary school
  • Middle/High school
  • College
  • Vocational studies

 

The Academic Advocacy Program helps to coordinate:

  • Hospital tutoring
  • Home instruction
  • School reintegration
  • Student and parent advocacy
  • Special accommodations
  • Neuropsychological testing
  • Community resources and referrals
 

Learn more about our Children's Cancer Center

A cancer diagnosis may pose unique challenges for children and their families. That’s why we offer a comprehensive range of support services as part of each patient’s high-quality, personalized treatment plan, to help you and your child throughout the cancer journey.

Learn more 

Contact Us

All student patients at City of Hope are invited to participate in our Academic Advocacy Program. If you would like to receive a call from one of our team members, please complete the Academic Advocacy Contact Form. For more information please call the Clinical Social Work office at 626-218-2282 or send an email to DL-pedscsw@coh.org.

 
You can ask any member of your medical team to submit a referral on your behalf.
 
MORE RESOURCES:
Our Academic Advocacy Program works hand and hand with our Child Life SpecialistsClinical Social Workpediatric and Adult and Young Adolescent (AYA) patients cope with illnesses and hospitalization. For more tips and information please visit our Child Life to learn about supporting children and teens.
 
Be sure to visit the Sheri & Les Biller Patient and Family Resources Center on the Duarte campus for more resources and information.