PolicyLab

Education pays. That truth underlies the role education plays in addressing poverty, and is part of why education has been acknowledged as a “principal pathway to financial security, stable employment, and social success,” as well as a key driver of better health. Given the relationship between education and health, it follows that health systems should look to how they can partner with other sectors or entities to support their patients’ educational opportunities.

Recently, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s (CHOP) Medical Financial Partnership (MFP)—which seeks to improve health through financial wellness—celebrated one such cross-sector collaboration. In April, CHOP welcomed members of the Pennsylvania Treasury to recognize the 5^th anniversary of the state’s Keystone Scholars program. This trailblazing program gives $100 to all Pennsylvania children born on/after January 1, 2019, to jumpstart higher education savings.

The MFP supports caregivers in registering for Keystone Scholars and has partnered with the Office of the Treasurer to integrate promotion of the program into clinic operations. Research from CHOP has helped drive changes in program implementation, and the Office’s efforts support the patient families we serve.

Centered in and responsive to patient voices and experiences, health systems (and their partners) can use and design systems to help give families a reason to hope that their children can achieve not just educational goals but their best health.

Together, we are better equipped to uplift the children of today to be empowered adults of tomorrow.

This post is part of our “____ in 200 Words” series. In this series, we tackle issues related to children’s health policy and explain and connect you to resources to help understand them further, all in 200 words. If you have any suggestions for a topic in this series, please send a note to PolicyLab’s Communications Manager Laura Cavello.