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How does the program work?
How does the program work? CoachArt provides a minimum of 10 free lessons to students in an activity of their choice. Outpatient lessons start quarterly (January, April, July, October), allowing students the opportunity to try different activities while providing coaches flexibility in their schedules. Matches are determined based upon activity of interest, availability of a coach, and convenience of geographic location. Following each quarter, students have the opportunity to continue their lessons or select another activity of interest. Who can participate in CoachArt activities? CoachArt lessons are offered to patients with chronic and life-threatening illnesses and their siblings between the ages of six and eighteen (6-18) years old. What types of activities are available to students? Students may choose lessons in a wide variety of arts and athletics-related activities including: music, ceramics, painting, drawing, yoga, photography, creative writing, dance, acting, cooking, golf, tennis, and more. How do students get involved with the program? Each student MUST complete the appropriate application including doctor's consent (required for patients who are currently receiving treatment or who have been off of treatment for less than five years). Applications must be returned to Allison Beck, Program Director. Applications can be mailed directly to the CoachArt office or they can be faxed. It is the responsibility of each student/family to complete the application. What happens once students turn in their CoachArt application? Following receipt of the application, the student and family will receive a letter acknowledging the application and confirming that the application is complete. This letter will also explain the process of how students become involved in the various programs. How do students know if they have been matched? If a student is matched they will receive a phone call from CoachArt to confirm the activity, their availability and location of their lesson. CoachArt will also confirm the individual's need for transportation and materials at this time. Students and families will receive a follow up confirmation letter with their schedule of lessons, coach name and contact information, and any other related details. Does CoachArt remain involved with students throughout their lessons? CoachArt staff is present at each student's first lesson to help facilitate the introduction of the coach and to answer any questions. CoachArt staff also make frequent phone calls to assess student and family satisfaction and to address any needs. At the end of the 10 lessons, CoachArt will conduct an evaluation with each student and coach to measure the impact of the program. At this time, the student decides whether to continue with the existing lessons or try something new. CoachArt also conducts an on-site evaluation with each coach quarterly, to assess the effectiveness and abilities of each coach to provide a positive experience. What if a student is not matched with a coach? All students who have not been matched will receive a letter each quarter to acknowledge that they have not been matched. These students are given the opportunity to participate in upcoming program events. What is my role in the CoachArt Program as a healthcare worker? As a healthcare worker, you are one of CoachArt's most valuable resources. You can easily determine which patients are potential candidates for the CoachArt Outpatient Coaching Program. Your referral allows us to serve more patients and families. CoachArt looks to you for feedback on our program. Your contact with the patient(s) allows you to monitor progress in the child's self-esteem and health. Your personal observations and feedback provide proof that our programs are successful. How do I refer a patient? Applications can be found on this website here. CoachArt has also provided applications to the Child Life Program, the Social Work Department and the Artists-In-Residence Program at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles. Applications are also available through the Child Life Program at UCLA Mattel Children's Hospital. Applications are available in both Spanish and English. Where do I send completed applications? Completed applications can be sent or faxed to: What type of screening and security is in place for the coaches? Each volunteer coach must participate in a mandatory orientation and training program prior to working with a child. This program is intended to help each coach understand the special needs of hospitalized children and their families, to prepare them for the emotional effects that may result from working with an ill child and to familiarize each coach with the structure and philosophy of the CoachArt program. The orientation is a 1-2 hour seminar that covers the following areas: Does CoachArt have liability insurance? CoachArt has liability insurance through the Nonprofits' Insurance Alliance of California. All activity centers must show proof of liability insurance in order for a child to visit their premises. How does CoachArt deal with the geographic challenges of Los Angeles? CoachArt services are provided to students primarily in Los Angeles County. However, we are willing to work with special cases of patients who live outside this primary area to find a coach that will participate in the program. Students are matched with coaches within a 10-mile radius of the child's home. Exceptions may be made based upon individual needs/resources. How is transportation provided to students and families? CoachArt is able to provide free transportation to families participating in the program based upon individual needs. CoachArt coordinates transportation directly with each family. Transportation may include taxi service, car service and public transportation (supported by CoachArt). A parent or guardian must accompany any student under the age of 12 in order to use any CoachArt provided transportation. How do we prevent disappointment for patients that do not fit the CoachArt program? Please refer only those patients that fit within the CoachArt guidelines. Again, an eligible CoachArt student is characterized as a patient between the ages of six and eighteen suffering from a chronic or life-threatening illness, capable of participating in a lesson at an activity center with a volunteer coach. CoachArt also serves siblings of patients in this same age range. Each participant must have medical approval from his/her attending physician before taking a lesson. We will serve any patient that fits within these guidelines and the basic geographic service area (Los Angeles County). To what extent is a patient's medical condition and background shared with a coach? Each coach signs a confidentiality agreement before entering the program. CoachArt provides only limited information regarding a patient's medical history and status to the coaches. We provide only as much information as is necessary to ensure that the patient enjoys a safe and productive lesson. How do coaches respond to emergency procedures? In an emergency, the coach is instructed to call 911 paramedics immediately. At the beginning of each quarter, CoachArt provides each coach with a sealed envelope containing the student's emergency medical information. This information comes from the CoachArt application and is updated quarterly with the student's parent/guardian. It is intended to help the paramedics immediately know crucial details about the child's health. In the event of an emergency, CoachArt instructs its coaches to give this information directly to the paramedics. CoachArt coaches are directed never to open this envelope themselves. For more information, please contact Ashley Fontanetta, Program Director: ashley@coachart.org, 213.736.2850  |
