The Helen and Bill Close Family Resource Center (FRC) is located on the first floor, near the HBO Café. It is open to patients, caregivers and their visitors. The FRC offers many useful resources, including:
- Business services (such as printing, copying and faxing)
- Information on community resources
- Computer and workstations with access to the internet
- Education videos using GetWellNetwork tablets (iPads)
- Specialized skills classes
- Parenting workshops
Classes and Workshops
Our education classes prepare patients and caregivers with the skills needed for care at home. We offer self-management and specialized skills classes. We also offer various workshops throughout the year on different health-related topics.
Space is limited for the classes listed below, and we may not be able to accommodate walk-ins. Please call 323-361-7698 to reserve your space or for more information.
Central Venous Catheter (CVC)/Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC) Care
Under the instruction of a registered nurse, you will learn how to care for a central line, including the proper way to clean your hands, keep a clean environment, flush the line, give medication and manage common problems.
Family & Friends Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) (open to the community)
This course teaches the lifesaving skills of infant, child and adult CPR, and also covers a brief introduction on how to use an automated external defibrillator. Skills are taught in a group setting, which provides caregivers with hands-on CPR practice. Please note that this is not a certification course, and we will not provide a card. Contact the American Heart Association or American Red Cross if a certification card is needed for employment. You will be required to watch a 30-minute video before the start of class.
Gastrostomy Tube (G-Tube) Care
You will learn how to care for a G-tube, including the proper way to flush the tube, give medication and manage common problems. The class is taught by a social worker, registered dietitian, occupational therapist or speech language pathologist, child life specialist and a registered nurse. The hands-on skills portion of the class is taught by the registered nurse.
Nasogastric Tube (NG-Tube) Care
This class teaches basic NG-Tube skills, including checking placement, flushing, bolus feeding, if the tube is in place, as well as problem-solving. This class is supported by our dysphagia team and registered dietitians. The hands-on skills portion of the class is taught by a registered nurse.
Parenting Workshops (open to the community)
The Nurturing Program for Parents and Their Children With Special Needs and Health Challenges workshopis designed to help parents and their children with chronic or life-threatening medical conditions, developmental delays, life-altering disorders and disabilities.
The program covers five concepts:
- Appropriate parental expectations
- Empathetic awareness of the needs of the children
- Understanding and valuing empathetic, effective discipline strategies and behavioral encouragement techniques
- Understanding appropriate parent/child roles and responsibilities
- Developing power and independence
