PROGRAMMING
The Foundation for the Children of the Californias is a tri-national collaboration with the United States, Canada, and Mexico, endeavoring to enhance the health and nutrition of underserved children in the San Diego – Tijuana Mega-Region primarily through the support of Hospital Infantil de las Californias, a model pediatric specialty medical and education complex, located one-half mile into Baja California, Mexico.
Pediatric Specialties and Services
- Allergy and asthma
- Anesthesia
- Cardiology
- Craniofacial surgery
- Hand surgery
- Dental
- Dermatology
- Dysmorphology
- Ear, nose, and throat
- Educational psychology
- Endocrinology
- Family therapy
- Gastroenterology
- Hearing screening
- Learning therapy
- Neurology
- Nephrology
- Neuropsychology
- Nutrition
- Ophthalmology
- Optometry
- Orthodontics
- Psychology
- Rehabilitation
- Rheumatology
- Physical therapy
- Speech therapy
- Urology
P.A.P.I. Program
No child is turned away due to inability to pay
Approximately 68% of the patients who come to Hospital Infantil de las Californias are economically challenged, meaning they can afford to pay only a portion of their medical expenses. Of that percentage, approximately 25% cannot afford to pay anything at all. The hospital established the P.A.P.I. (Programa de Apoyo a Pacientes Infantiles) to assist with these medical expenses and insure that any child, regardless of their ability to pay, will receive the surgeries and care they need.
Patients who use the P.A.P.I. program may require financial support for the payment of recuperation fees for pediatric and/or sub-specialty services, including surgeries, specialized studies, pharmacy, laboratory services and x-rays. A social worker at Hospital Infantil works with each family to determine the range of the family’s payment capabilities. Last year, the Foundation helped Hospital Infantil distribute $584,000 to aid families’ medical expenses.
Smart Choices Program
This health promotion nutrition education program is for primary school children/families. Annually 15 school principals are selected and enrolled in the program to understand nutrition, its connection to psychology, physical activity and dental health. The principals are charged with sharing their newly gained knowledge with the 5,000 students in their schools.
Youth in Leadership Orphanage Program
This annual, life-changing program is targeted for the oldest 3 orphans in each of 6 orphanages in Tijuana housing young children. The program aims to prepare adolescent orphans for their eventual departure from the orphanage, as the orphanages are intended for children under 18. Classes for the adolescent orphans include nutrition, psychology, dental care, leadership, vocational orientation and First Aid/CPR certification.
