Receiving a diagnosis of a birth defect during pregnancy is stressful for any family. As a key part of your care team, our social workers provide support and guidance during your journey with us.

Social workers help you and your family navigate through your pregnancy and provide you with resources before, during and after delivery in the Garbose Family Special Delivery Unit.

How our social workers support families in the CFDT/SDU

You will meet with a social worker at the beginning of your care and will see the same person regularly during your appointments. Your social worker will connect you to the other team members within the Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment (CFDT) and throughout CHOP who are involved in your care, and also to outside resources as needs arise for you or your family.

Our social workers can provide:

• Emotional support during the stressful times of your pregnancy, particularly as you get close to delivery of your child(ren)
• Referrals to counseling and support groups
• Lodging and transportation options for appointments, relocation or hospitalization
• Assistance in being excused from work/school or disability and Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) paperwork
• Assistance with understanding your insurance benefits and finding additional benefits that you may be eligible to receive

Meet our team's dedicated social workers, Lucia Figueroa, MSW, LSW, Jessica Hertzog, MSW, LSW, and Elizabeth D. Morris, MSW, LCSW.

Social workers also work with parents coping with the hospitalization of a sick infant, locating resources back home, and preparing you and your baby for the transition to home. Learn more about how social workers can help during your child’s time in the N/IICU.