The Financial Navigator Program

Overview

Over one third of caregivers with a child admitted to the Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) reported having difficulty making ends meet. The SickKids Medical-Financial Partnership (MFP) working group conducted in-depth interviews exploring financial needs and supports with selected caregivers in the Neonatal Neurodevelopmental Follow-up Program (NNFU). Results identified financial stress (including difficulties with employment, high cost of living, poverty, food insecurity, inaccessible supports, benefit time lines, costs of therapy) as a major theme. Caregivers generally supported the idea of hospital-based financial services. In this feasibility study we will trial a Financial Navigator Program in the NNFU.

The objective of the current proposal will be to evaluate the feasibility of the Financial Navigator Program in the NNFU. Research question: What is the feasibility of a Financial Navigator Program in the NNFU? Setting: The NNFU program follows infants who had a Neonatal Intensive Care admission. Follow-up appointments are scheduled for when the infant is 4, 8, 12, 18 and 36 months of age. We will invite all families at their first appointment in the NNFU to participate in our study. Study Procedure: Caregivers will be informed about the study at their child's first NNFU visit at 4 months. The clinical team will introduce the study and if interested, they will be approached by a Research Assistant (RA) to provide more details of the study. This can be in person at the clinic visit or in a follow-up phone call depended on families preference. If the caregiver provides consent, an appointment with the Financial Navigator will be arranged. Intervention: "Access to a Financial Navigator" We anticipate the Financial Navigator will meet at least 2 times and up to 2 additional visits, at a time convenient for the family. Examples of financial services that will likely be offered by the Financial Navigator are tax filing, applying for benefits and financial counseling. The program will be flexible and family centered. Families can choose if they would like to meet the Financial Navigator in person at the NNFU appointment, during another medical appointment, or at another time during a virtual visit. The Financial Navigator will be integrated into the existing SickKids Resource Navigation Service. At the 18-month NNFU visit the study will be completed.