A Daycare with a Difference!
Frankie’s World Foundation is a nonprofit 501 (C) 3 charitable organization created to enrich the lives of young children with special medical needs. The Foundation provides for the health and well-being of children age birth to 8 years who are medically-fragile, technology-dependent, or have been diagnosed with life-threatening illnesses. We encourage and inspire this special population of children to reach for the highest possible goals – intellectually, socially and physically.
The Foundation’s flagship initiative is Frankie’s World, a Prescribed Pediatric Extended Care Center or PPECC, licensed by the State of Pennsylvania. It opened on July 19, 2006, and is centrally located in Northern Liberties to be accessible to children from all parts of Philadelphia. When my daughter Frankie was a toddler on a ventilator in 2000, she was isolated at home with a nurse, and there was no medically-safe place for her to go to make friends and learn about the world. We made Frankie’s World into the kind of place she would have loved.
Our state-of-the-art facility is staffed by experienced pediatric nurses and Head Start educators. The interior is a large open playroom, equipped with toys, books, games, computers, adapted seating, therapy equipment, tricycles, indoor swing set, and much more – every item carefully selected to maximize a child's opportunity for physical, physiological, and intellectual growth and development. Nursing services include tracheotomy/ventilator care, g-tube feedings, medication administration, and seizure monitoring. Head Start education is provided in partnership with Acelero Learning, and includes developmental assessments, nutritious meals, and kindergarten readiness preparation. There is no cost to parents – we will work with your child's doctor and insurance company.
Frankie's World is a safe and loving environment where children can play, learn and thrive while their parents are away at work or school. The Foundation's Staff and Board of Directors are dedicated to making Frankie's World a welcome solution for Philadelphia familes.
Sincerely,
Conny Lockwood
President, Frankie's World Foundation
Board of Directors | Professional Advisory Committee |
Conny Lockwood - President | Robin Dixon, CRNP |
James Murray, Sr. - Vice President | Eileen Everly, MD |
Paul MacDonald - Treasurer | Francine Fox, BA |
Paul Lockwood - Secretary | Anthony Luberti, MD |
Eileen Everly, MD - Medical Director | Francis McNesby, MD |
Sister Cheryl Ann Hilig, DC | William McNett, MD |
Francis McNesby, MD | Andrew Merrell, SLT |
Gerald Szucs, PhD | Salima Nesbitt |
Marianne Szucs | Heather Palasky, RN, BSN |
Richard Szucs | Renee Turchi, MD |
Renee Weintraub-Kalandar, OT/L |