Get your patient
in the game

The Power of Team

At Team IMPACT, we understand the importance of supporting the social and emotional wellbeing of children facing serious illness or disability. We provide an experience for children and families to expand their support systems and develop meaningful bonds with a local college sports team, grow confidence, and experience the simple joy of being a kid.

The Process

Medical outreach toolkit

Flyers

Resources to download, print, and share with patients.

FAQs

Team IMPACT serves children with over 250 life-altering medical conditions and disabilities. At this time, we are unable to serve children with autism spectrum disorder or asthma as a primary diagnosis. In addition, children with a behavioral health diagnosis must also have a medical diagnosis or physical disability to qualify.

You can refer children between the ages of 5 and 16 years old.

We strive to match each child with the team that can provide the best support. We understand some children have preferences for specific sports and will try to accommodate when able but cannot guarantee a specific sport or school.

Team IMPACT is about relationships. While sports bring matches together, the primary focus is on the support that is gained through being part of a team. Participants do not have to play sports or even be huge sports fans, to benefit from their involvement. Team IMPACT individualizes the program experience to meet the medical, physical, and emotional needs of each child.

We work to match each child as quickly as possible, however, every situation is different. The length of the match-up process can vary based on the family’s proximity to campus and the academic calendar, among other things.

Our program is family centered. While one child will be officially signed to the team, participation in Team IMPACT is something that families can do together. In addition, if there are multiple children in the family living with a qualifying medical condition, they can be officially signed to the same team or can be matched with their own team if preferred.

We provide transportation assistance for a subset of families who meet specific eligibility criteria. This is assessed and managed by their Match-Up Specialist or Case Manager.

Team IMPACT has begun to offer services in Spanish. At this time, we do not provide services in any other languages.

Each match is managed by a highly trained Case Manager, who is either a master’s level social worker or a certified child life specialist. The Case Manager provides guidance and recommendations to the family and team to maximize success and address challenges.

Most matches connect, in-person or virtually, between two and four times a month during the school year and monthly during holiday breaks and summer.

Team IMPACT facilitates the match for 2 years. Afterward, families and teams can stay connected in whatever way works for them.

There is no cost to participate in the program and Team IMPACT does not bill through third-party health plans.

Team IMPACT staff love to partner with community providers. We can provide updates on the match-up process and collaborate on therapeutic goals for child and family during the Team IMPACT experience. Email programs@teamimpact.org to be connected to the appropriate staff member.

Make a Referral

Use Team IMPACT as a therapeutic resource for the kids under your care. Simply fill out a medical referral form and trust us to curate a team experience that keeps each child’s physical needs, schedule, and other requirements in mind.

    Referrer (You)







    Child





    Parent/Guardian








    Parent/Guardian #2







    Final Details


    If you do not receive a confirmation email immediately after submission, please check your spam folder or send an email to programs@teamimpact.org.

    Who We Work With

    Helping kids experience life beyond serious illness and disability.

    Eligibility Requirements:

    • Children ages 5-16
    • Diagnosed with a serious or chronic illness
    • Require ongoing treatment and/or extended hospital stays
    • Could benefit, both socially and emotionally, from the support of a team
    • More than 1/3 have been diagnosed with cancer; other common diagnoses include cystic fibrosis, cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy