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BURN CENTER

Special Programs

The Regional Burn Center staff support and work with a number of special programs that benefit both our patients and other burn survivors. For more information about a program listed below, please contact the Nurse Manager at (408) 885-6666, or speak with any other member of the Regional Burn Center team. 


 BURN SURVIVOR SUPPORT GROUP

The Burn Survivor Support Group is for someone who has already experienced what thousands of others do each year – a burn injury. Unlike other injuries, burn injuries linger, leaving a permanent reminder. People who suffer a severe burn often must undergo both physical and psychological healing to return to their everyday lives. The Regional Burn Center understands the unique nature of a burn injury and provides a Burn Survivor Support Group to help burn survivors cope with their injuries.

Burn Camp

Burn Camp for Kids is a special one-week and a weekend camp program where children who have suffered a burn injury can experience challenges of the outdoors in a friendly environment. This is a place where they can just be kids instead of being singled out because they look different or have physical limitations. Regional Burn Center staff work with our local firefighters* to raise funds and provide scholarships for kids who may not otherwise be able to go to camp. The staff has also served as camp counselors and medical staff.

The Burn Camp for Kids makes a lasting impact on the lives of children who have survived a burn injury. It helps them foster a positive outlook towards their future and their burn rehabilitation. The camp staff, activities and support programs have all been selected to meet the special needs of young burn survivors while still allowing the kids to enjoy a traditional summer camp setting. The friendships developed during Burn Camp for Kids last well beyond their week together.

School Re-Entry Program

The School Re-Entry Program focuses on educating other children that just because someone's skin looks different from their own doesn't mean that they are a bad person, or that they can’t have friends, or that they have to miss school activities. Every child wants​ the same thing at school – to be accepted by his or her peers. But for children with burn injuries – especially visible burn injuries – that acceptance is not always there.

Children often tease a burn-injured child to the point that the child no longer wants to go to school. In addition, many of the children do not feel comfortable talking about their injury and need some help when talking to their classmates. Prior to a school session, it is determined if the burn survivor child will be present during the presentation or if they will go home early that day. If they choose to participate, they are asked to talk a little about what happened to them. The Regional Burn Center's School Re-Entry Program is designed to: 

  • Educate the teacher and classmates of a burn survivor about burn injuries. 
  • Educate classmates about the differences and challenges a burn survivor must face, and teaches them that children that have suffered from a burn injury are just the same as they are. 
  • Educate children about fire and burn safety and how to prevent a burn injury.

Juvenile Fire Setter Program

The Juvenile Fire Setter Program works to reduce the number of fire injuries and deaths by working with children who show fire-setting behaviors. Juvenile fire setting has been identified as the fastest growing fire threat in the United States. Annual statistics show that more than 300 people are killed and nearly $1 billion in property is destroyed in fires set by children. Over three percent of the victims are the children themselves. To learn more about this program, contact any member of the Burn Team for information about a local program through the San Jose Fire Fighters. In partnership with other community agencies, the Regional Burn Center staff works to reduce this threat in our community. The program's goals are to identify juvenile fire setters, provide life skills training and education, as well as referrals for family counseling. The program also provides burn and fire safety information. To learn more about this program, visit the Burn Institute Web site at www.burninstitute.org​.