Resources for Families

JACOB’S HEART FAMILY SERVICES

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

  • Families with a child in treatment (receiving chemotherapy and/or radiation) receive Direct Financial Assistance (DFA) of either a monthly $25 gas or grocery card. In addition, Emergency Financial Assistance (EFA) of up to $400 per calendar year, helps families cover costs associated with essential household bills.
  • Families with a child off treatment are eligible for Emergency Financial Assistance (EFA) of up to $400 for the following calendar year after treatment ends. Families may use these funds to purchase the $25 gas or grocery cards and/or to help them cover costs associated with essential household bills.
  • Financial assistance is available to bereaved families to help cover costs associated with funerals and/or cremations.

FAMILY SUPPORT

  • All Family Support Services are provided in English and in Spanish are are free of charge to families who are in treatment, off treatment, or bereaved.
  • Individual, Couple, and/or Family Support is provided for all immediate family members to address specific themes and/or to process feelings that arise from dealing with the profound emotional, developmental, psychological, financial and/or social challenges caused by childhood cancer. We offer play and/or art therapy for children and supportive/educational counseling for adults. These sessions can be scheduled with a Family Specialist as office visits, home visits, and/or hospital visits.
  • Family Night Groups are facilitated by the Family Specialists and are offered one time per month on Thursday evenings from 6:00-8:00 pm at both our Freedom and Salinas office locations. Children, teens, and their families are invited for an evening of support and creativity, utilizing expressive art therapy to address themes such as: returning to school after treatment, coping strategies for stressful times, or building self-esteem. Parents have the option of participating in the creative activity or meeting with other parents in a Parent Support Group facilitated by one of the Family Specialists. Light snacks are provided.
  • Art from the Heart Groups are facilitated by the Family Specialists and are offered one time per month on Saturday mornings from 10:30 am-12:00 pm at both our Freedom and Salinas office locations. Children, teens, and their families are invited for a morning of support and creativity utilizing expressive art therapy. Light snacks are provided.
  • Grief Support is also provided for all ages and family members through individual, couples, and/or family counseling. Parents may also choose to attend Walking the Path of Grief, a monthly drop-in support group for bereaved parents facilitated by a Family Specialist that meets one Monday evening a month from 6:00-8:00 pm at our Freedom office. Light snacks are provided.

FAMILY RESOURCES AND REFERRALS

  • Kids Cards is a program that provides encouragement and support to children and teens who are in treatment, as well as to their siblings. Jacob’s Heart Volunteers create unique and special handmade cards and packets that are mailed each month. This program is also available to bereaved siblings. Speak to your Family Specialist to determine your eligibility and enroll your child/children in this program.
  • Adopt-A-Family is an annual holiday program available to families with a child in treatment and those who are within one year off treatment or bereaved. Entire families are adopted to receive gifts from a Jacob’s Heart donor. Speak to your Family Specialist to determine your eligibility and enroll your family in this program.
  • A Resource Library and the use of a computer are available for all Jacob’s Heart families at both of our office locations in Freedom and Salinas. Speak to your Family Specialist to schedule an appointment.
  • Community Resources: Your Family Specialist can connect you with other community resources to assist your family during this challenging time.
  • Back to School: Your Family Specialist can help support your child when he/she returns to school by making a school visit to teach classmates and teachers about cancer and treatment side effects and ways they can support your child.

CELEBRATIONS AND MILESTONES

  • Welcome Bags are given to each child who is diagnosed. The bags may include items such as a handmade quilt, pillow, toys, books and/or activities that may ease the challenges of long car rides and/or hospital stays.
  • Honoring Special Days is a program that acknowledges important milestones such as completion of treatment, cancer-free milestones, and/or school graduations. We offer families a one-time financial assistance to mark one of these significant occasions. Speak to your Family Specialist to determine your eligibility and enroll your family in this program.
  • Birthdays of the child who is diagnosed are celebrated with a hand made card each year up to and including their 18th birthday.

For more information and/or to sign up for our services, please call one of the Family Specialists listed below:

Susie Garcia, (831) 728-7341

Bridget Goin, (831) 728-7344

Belinda Rubalcava, (831) 757-7603

 FAMILY SERVICES CALENDAR OF EVENTS: View our currently scheduled groups and events for Jacob’s Heart families

 FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS: In memory of Jacob’s Heart children who are no longer with us

 ADDITIONAL RESOURCES in your area can be found at: www.Cancer.org