Abstract

Families of children with medical complexity (CMC) face significant challenges beyond those related to caring for their child's medical condition. Parents of CMC report a variety of concerns impacting their social, emotional and financial well-being. This paper details how CHEO, community organizations and parents co-designed and evaluated the Navigator Program. Through system navigation, peer support and knowledge navigation, the program offers emotional, social and economic support for parents struggling to keep up with the demands of having CMC. A best practices toolkit also provides resources to help others better support these unique families locally, provincially and nationally.