A pediatric social worker is a licensed professional who supports families emotionally, socially, and practically when a child is facing a health challenge. At Hackensack Meridian Children’s Health, our social workers are part of your child’s care team from the very beginning. They help with everything from navigating the healthcare system to coping with emotional stress and accessing community support.

Social workers can help your family in many ways throughout your child’s care journey. They offer emotional support, provide counseling for your child or family, and connect you to helpful services like financial aid, school accommodations, or mental health resources. They’re also trained to guide families through difficult situations, including serious diagnoses or end-of-life decisions, with compassion and clarity.

Our social work team understands that a child’s illness can affect the entire family, not just the patient. We offer counseling and support for siblings, parents, and caregivers to help everyone process what they’re going through. Whether it’s managing emotions, explaining a diagnosis to a sibling, or working through feelings of guilt or fear, we’re here to support the whole family.

Yes. Social workers can help connect you to trusted resources across New Jersey that may assist with insurance, housing, legal services, or other financial challenges. Whether you need help applying for New Jersey FamilyCare, exploring disability benefits, or finding local support programs, our team is here to guide you through it and reduce the stress that often comes with navigating these systems.

If your child is receiving care at either Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital in Hackensack or K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital in Neptune, you can ask any member of your care team to connect you with a social worker. You can also call the numbers listed on this page to be connected directly. Social work services are provided at no cost to families.