About Connected Kansas Kids
Sponsors
Connected Kansas Kids (CKK)
is made possible by the generosity of Kan-Ed
and the Center for Telemedicine and Telehealth
at the University of Kansas Medical Center.
It was conceptualized as a way to use technology and the technological infrastructure
in Kansas to extend the work of Dr. Kathy Davis to more kids with chronic illness, their
classmates, and their loved ones across the state. Connected Kansas Kids provides
a means to enable the student, parents, educators and health care providers to collaborate
on school reentry and education goals.
Good News
Medical advances and new technologies--such
as telemedicine and interactive websites-- have enabled many children, who previously
may not have returned to school, to pursue an education in their neighborhood schools,
alongside their siblings and peers.
Today, children with chronic illnesses are guaranteed a “free, appropriate public
education” at no cost to their parents or guardians. The opportunity to continue
to grow, develop and learn is not eliminated by a serious physical diagnosis.
Kids and School
We now know that being involved in
school and doing school work can actually help a child by enabling him/her to minimize
his/her symptoms.
Research has shown us that a positive outlook and a focus on normal activities can
speed up the recovery process of some patients. Kids frequently tell us that they
cannot wait to get back to school to see their teachers and friends. So it is not
surprising that there is absolutely no research that indicates that doing a math
assignment, reading a book, or having fun with friends will make a child more ill.
Accommodating Kids' Needs
Obviously, there are some special needs
of children with chronic illnesses. Teachers, peers, siblings, and other caring
people want to make sure that they are doing things in the best way possible in
an attempt to support the child with a chronic illness.
That is why we are here - we want to make sure that the child’s teacher(s) have
all the information they need to feel comfortable welcoming their student back into
the classroom, and that the information they have is accurate. With this type of
information, the school and teacher are well-equipped to develop an appropriate
plan that will meet the needs of the child with a chronic illness, as well as his/her
peers.
For more information, please contact:
Kathy Davis, MSEd, PhD
kdavis2@kumc.edu
(913) 588-6305