Child Neurology Foundation

RESEARCH GRANTS: Since 2001, CNF has proudly awarded grants and scholarships totaling over $5.2M to child neurologists, medical students, institutions, and researchers who are working on treatments and cures for pediatric ne urologic diseases. To encourage collaboration and increase research, the Foundation awarded a $150,000 Pediatric Epilepsy Research Foundation (PERF) Elterman and a $150,000 PERF Shields Research Grant in 2023 to support clinical or basic science research by a child neurologist or developmental pediatrician early in their academic career who are members of the Child Neurology Society. To further support interest in the field of child neurology, the Foundation also awarded three of the the Dr. Kenneth F. Swaiman Medical Student Scholarships in the amount of $6,000 for medical students interested in exploring a career in child neurology, plus $1,500 travel stipend for attendance at the Child Neurology Society Annual Meeting, and the Neurodevelopmental Disabilities Summer Research Scholarship of $3,500 to a medical student who has an interest in training in neurodevelopmental disabilities or child neurology.

COMMUNITY SUPPORT AND EDUCATION: In 2023 , CNF provided 47 families with Chromebooks and hotspots to better access telehealth, provided emotional support to over 262 families, reached over 460 clinicians with education, and built collaborations with over 68 other patient advocacy organizations via the Neurology Social Services Network (NSSN). Through the NSSN CNF provides access to local service organizations such as food shelves, transportation assistance, and housing assistance. In 2023, the NSSN processed 300 referrals providing resources across 47 states. In 2023 education program topics included family support, digital access, transition of care, shortening the diagnostic odyssey, care coordination, preventing epilepsy deaths, and clinical trials. CNF also collected insights from families and child neurologists via surveys and focus groups. This information influences the development of CNF programming going forward.