Howard Hand in Hand Program offers families a helpful hand during trying times

A chronic or terminal diagnosis is a scary thing. It can conjure complex feelings, anxieties and life changes.

Now imagine you are a 10-year-old child watching your parent go through that.

Barbara Moss-Hogan is the oncology community social worker at the Nancy N. and J.C. Lewis Cancer & Research Pavilion. Her job includes coordinating our Howard Hand in Hand Program, which counsels children of parents who have been diagnosed with life-threatening illnesses such as cancer, heart attack or stroke.

“I think this program is the best kept secret in town,” Moss-Hogan says. “The Howard Hand in Hand Program works with any child whose parent has a long-term, chronic illness. It doesn’t just have to be cancer.”

What is Howard Hand in Hand?

The Howard Hand in Hand Program provides support, education and guidance to children, teens and young adults (if they have a disability) with a family member facing a life-threatening disease. This free program helps children cope with and process their thoughts and feelings, which often include fear, sadness, anger and confusion, Moss-Hogan says.

Moss-Hogan also works with parents, educating them on how to talk to their child about their condition. In fact, after she’s referred to a patient, she talks to the parents first to get to the know the child better and then sets up a time to meet either one-on-one in person or via Zoom. She can meet with the just the child or with the parent(s) and child.

“I refer to myself like talking to your mom with no judgement, and to the little kid, it’s like talking to your white-haired grandmother because I hope that takes the stigma away that can be associated with the title ‘social worker,’” Moss-Hogan says. “I am here to help the child, the family for as long as necessary.”

The parent does not have to be a patient at St. Joseph’s/Candler to take advantage of this service.

How do I know if my child should participate in Howard Hand in Hand?

Going through any serious illness affects the entire family. Some handle it better than others – but there’s nothing wrong with feeling the way you feel or how your child feels.

If you are a parent going through a difficult time, there are some signs you can look for in your child that you may want to seek additional help. These include:

• A drop in grades
• Changes in their social dynamics with friends or a change in their friend groups
• Changes in their personality – are they moody or distant?
• What are they looking at on the computer or other devices that may be alarming?
• Have they made drastic changes in their interests?
• Are they asking a lot of questions that you don’t feel comfortable answering?

Contact Us

If you’d like to learn more about Howard Hand in Hand or schedule a time to talk with Moss-Hogan, you can reach her at 912-724-9743 or mosshogb@sjchs.org. Moss-Hogan is also available to speak on the program to members with the community. Give her a call today to address your next meeting or attend a community health fair.

How Howard Hand in Hand got its start

After losing his own mother to cancer as a child, Dr. John Howard, Founder of Howard Family Dental, desired to support children in a similar situation. It started with a $150,000 donate to create Howard Hand in Hand Support Program for children, and to this day, Howard Family Dental continues to raise funds and support the Howard Hand in Hand Program at St. Joseph’s/Candler.