Pediatric Pandemic Network Announces $22.5 Million Annually in Continued HRSA Funding and Transition to Pediatric Prevention Network

The organization previously known as the Pediatric Pandemic Network announces it has been awarded $22.5 million annually in continued funding through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to continue operations as the Pediatric Prevention Network. 

This continued investment will allow the network to expand its focus beyond pandemic preparedness to strengthen pediatric response capabilities, including rural, remote, and tribal areas. Specific initiatives will include direct engagement with families and youth, mental and behavioral health support, as well as emphasis on children and youth with special health care needs. 

Lurie Children’s has served as a vital component of the PPN over the past five years, co-leading activities in areas such as network evaluation, infectious diseases, disaster management, behavioral health, and community engagement through the contributions of nearly three dozen Lurie Children’s faculty and staff. “We are very excited to continue our strong work preparing our communities to provide excellent care to children during emergencies and disasters. We look to further strengthen our partnerships with key stakeholders across the city of Chicago and state of Illinois to maximize our impact,” said Larry Kociolek, MD, Center Principal Investigator for the PPN and Vice President, System Preparedness, Prevention and Response at Lurie Children’s.

Over the last five years, the Pediatric Pandemic Network has worked to leverage the resources and expertise of children’s hospitals in collaboration with national partners to empower all healthcare systems and their communities to be prepared to provide high-quality pediatric care in everyday emergencies, disasters, and global health threats.

The Pediatric Prevention Network will operate from 10 children’s hospitals as local centers, along with affiliate and associate regional centers and nationally recognized subject matter experts.

The collective purpose of the Pediatric Prevention Network is to strengthen the pediatric disaster preparedness of every children’s hospital, elevate pediatric healthcare capability everywhere to be better equipped for any crisis that could impact children, establish well integrated and resilient local-regional systems that leverage collaborations and community engagement, and foster workforce development in the field of pediatric emergency management that is rooted in data and quality improvement.

The vision of the Pediatric Prevention Network is for all children and families to receive high-quality care in everyday emergencies, disasters, and global health threats.

Learn more about the mission and vision of the Pediatric Prevention Network at PedsPreventionNetwork.org.

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For further information or media inquiries, please contact:

Rachel Sarafin, MBA

Director of Communications

Rachel.Sarafin@yale.edu