Collaborative seeks to improve children’s health

Illinois health advocacy groups are looking to grow a collaborative aimed at improving children’s lives.

“These are really challenging times for our children,” Jill Fraggos, executive director of the Collaborative for Children’s Health Policy, told attendees at the collaborative’s kick-off event Wednesday at Loyola University Chicago.

Changing administrations don’t always have the same priorities and budgets have strained programs, she said. Education, child protection, housing and welfare programs all affect children’s health, yet they sometimes aren’t aligned and compete with one another for resources, she added.

Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, EverThrive Illinois, the Illinois Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Illinois Children’s Healthcare Foundation, Ounce of Prevention Fund and Voices for Illinois Children founded the collaborative.

The organizations have been meeting since September and are looking to expand their efforts.

Sister Jean Dolores Schmidt, known as “Sister Jean,” keynoted the event. She’s been the Loyola University Chicago men’s basketball team’s chaplain and an advocate for youth. She said she was “greatly impressed” with the group’s mission statement.

“You’ve set high standards for your group,” she said.

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