Hospital Educational Advocacy Liaisons (HEAL)

Medical conditions and disabilities can change the way children learn and behave. The HEAL program can help your child succeed in school after they are diagnosed with a medical condition or disability. It is a free program that works with you to find support that meets your child’s learning and behavioral needs. The HEAL program does not offer legal services.

The HEAL program serves children who:

  • Are patients of Stanford Medicine Children’s Health.
  • Are 3 to 18 years old.
  • Have medical conditions or disabilities that affect the way they learn.

Available services

  • The HEAL program can:
  • Advocate for school-based programs like:
    • Student Support Team, also called SST.
    • A 504 Education Plan, also called a 504 Plan.
    • An Individualized Educational Plan, also called an IEP.
  • Talk with you about special education and help you apply.
  • Give you information about support in your area.

Educational Specialists are teachers with specialized training who advocate for your child’s needs. Our team supports children who have mild to severe disabilities and children who have trouble learning because of a medical condition.

How to apply to the HEAL program

You can apply by either talking with your child’s Stanford care team or applying on your own.

If you apply by talking with your child’s Stanford care team or social worker, they will send a referral to the HEAL program. Then, a HEAL staff member will send you a welcome letter with the HEAL program form and a Release of Information form. Follow the instructions in the welcome letter to return the completed forms.

OR

If you apply directly to the HEAL program, follow the three steps below:

  1. Download and complete the HEAL program form and the Release of Information form.
  2. Send the completed forms to the HEAL program by mail, fax, or email.

    3. Mail to:

    Stanford Medicine Children’s Health
    HEAL Program
    4200 Bohannon Road, Suite 100
    Menlo Park, CA 94025
    Fax to: (650) 724-2445
    Email to: HEAL@stanfordchildrens.org

  3. If you have copies of recent testing, 504 Plans, or IEP Plans, send them by mail in a separate envelope, or by fax or email using the information in step 2.
    After we receive all the completed forms, one of our Educational Specialists will call you within seven to 10 days.

Resources for parents and caregivers

To learn more about special education and other services in school, please see the documents below:

To find community-based support or resources, please visit Parents Helping Parents.

Youth and Education Law Project, also called YELP

The Youth and Education Law Project at Stanford Law School can give free legal services to qualifying families. For more information, visit their website. You can also call (650) 723-4336 or send an email to youth.education@law.stanford.edu

For more information

For more information, for any questions, or to talk to a HEAL staff member, please call (650) 725-2381 and leave a message. Or you can send an email to HEAL@stanfordchildrens.org.