Team Spotlight: Meet the Spina Bifida Program’s Social Worker
Published on in Spina Bifida Family Connection
Published on in Spina Bifida Family Connection
Meet Amanda Fonash, MSW, LSW. She’s been a social worker in CHOP’s Spina Bifida program for 11 years. Amanda partners with families to help access community resources and provide psychosocial counseling to care for children with special needs.
Accessing resources for a child with special needs can be a challenging process. One of Amanda’s roles is to simplify this process by providing education about state benefits including Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income, housing and food resources. She can also provide information on recreational opportunities, funding for equipment and home modifications, support with educational/early intervention needs, and referrals to advocacy organizations and mental health providers.
Amanda is available to families outside of clinic as well. If you have a question, don’t hesitate to call her!
Below is one of Amanda’s favorite resource lists: local accessible playgrounds! Be sure to check that they’re open and stay up-to-date on local guidelines as communities slowly reopen from the COVID-19 pandemic. And don’t forget to practice physical distancing and wash your hands frequently.