Patient Resources - Center for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
If your child receives an endocrinology diagnosis, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed. Many endocrine disorders are complex and managing them is an important part of your child’s life. At Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, our goal is to provide as many supportive resources as possible to help your child have a high quality of life with an endocrine condition.
Resources and Support for Pediatric Endocrine Disorders
Whether you want to learn more about a medical condition or need assistance with insurance, we can help. We offer a variety of support services and resources, including:
- Child Life specialists
- Family Resource Center
- Financial assistance resources
- Fitness programs
- Interpreting and translation services
- Pediatric psychology
- Social Work Program
- Support groups
Child Life specialists
Child Life specialists support your child during their treatment. They can explain medical care in child-friendly language, teach your child techniques to help calm themselves or play games in the waiting room. Learn more about our Child Life specialists.
Family Resource Center
At the Family Resource Center, you can sign up for health education classes and learn more about medical conditions. We also have parent coaches who can connect you with other families in similar situations. Find out more about the Family Resource Center.
Financial assistance resources
We accept multiple insurance plans, including Medi-Cal. If you need guidance understanding your insurance coverage, our financial counselors are ready to help. These specialists also can help you access financial assistance or set up payment plans. Read more about paying for care.
Fitness programs
Some children or adolescents with endocrinology diagnoses may need to lose weight through exercise as part of their treatment plan. Many families find that establishing an exercise routine is easier with support from experts.
Our specialists have designed two programs to support children and adolescents in managing weight through exercise. Your child may participate in:
- Kids N Fitness©
- Teens N Fitness, an adaptation of Kids N Fitness© to meet teenagers’ needs
Interpreting and translation services
We strive to include parents and caregivers in their children’s care—but that partnership can be challenging if there’s a language barrier.
Many of our providers speak both English and Spanish. We also have a dedicated English-Spanish interpreter who works exclusively in the Center for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism. We provide interpretation for all other languages, including American Sign Language (ASL), through a combination of virtual and in-person services. Learn more about our interpreting and translation services.
Pediatric psychology
Sometimes, complex medical diagnoses or treatments can be distressing for children. To help support your child’s mental health, our psychologists offer counseling and mental health services throughout the hospital.
Social Work Program
Social workers serve as crucial supporters and resources for children and their families. They can help you connect with financial assistance, find support groups or coordinate transportation to appointments. Read more about social work.
Support groups
Support groups provide safe spaces for children and parents to connect with others in similar situations. Several of our programs provide diagnosis-specific support groups.
Our social workers can also help you connect with local or community-based support groups. Children and caregivers who participate in these groups often learn new coping strategies and gain an increased sense of comfort.
Some endocrinology-specific support groups include:
- Non-classical Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia (CAH) Interest Group
- Infant-Toddler CAH Support Group
- SoCal CAH Support Group
- TEEN POWER®, which features a teenage diabetes support group as well as support for younger children with Type 1 diabetes
24/7 Diabetes Support
We have a dedicated prescription phone line for medication refills and a 24/7 phone line for diabetes education. Families can call:
- Diabetes Hotline: 323-361-2311
- Prescription Refill Line: 323-361-4427
Comprehensive Endocrinology Care
We offer care through a range of multidisciplinary programs and clinics. Many of our clinics are for children with specific diagnoses, allowing us to offer even more targeted, individualized care. Find out more about our programs and services.