For families facing the unimaginable—caring for a child with a life-limiting illness—access to compassionate, specialized support isn’t just helpful, it’s vital. Pediatric Concurrent Hospice Care is a transformative model that allows children under 21 to receive curative treatments while also benefiting from the comfort and support of hospice care. Though still relatively underutilized, this dual approach is changing lives—and United Hospice is uniquely positioned to serve families in both Orange and Rockland Counties.
What Is Pediatric Concurrent Hospice Care?
Introduced under the Affordable Care Act in 2010, Pediatric Concurrent Hospice Care is a federally mandated benefit for children enrolled in Medicaid. It allows families to pursue aggressive, life-prolonging treatments while also receiving hospice services—such as pain and symptom management, psychosocial support, and care coordination.
Before this policy change, families were forced to make an impossible choice: continue treatment or enroll in hospice. They couldn’t have both. Concurrent care acknowledges the complex emotional and medical needs of children and their families, offering a more compassionate and comprehensive model of support. It bridges hope and comfort during a profoundly uncertain time.
Why United Hospice?
For over 39 years, United Hospice has been a cornerstone of compassionate, high-quality end-of-life care in the Hudson Valley. In 2025, the organization expanded its focus to formally include Pediatric Concurrent Hospice Care—aiming to become the provider of choice for this crucial service in Orange and Rockland Counties. Its new program known as United Kids is ready to provide expertise care today.
Here’s why United Hospice’s program United Kids is exceptionally equipped to lead:
- Proven Track Record: United Hospice is nationally recognized for its adult hospice and palliative care programs, known for expert clinical care, a holistic philosophy, and dedicated volunteer support.
- Pediatric Experience: United Hospice has cared for pediatric patients since its inception, giving the organization a strong foundation in understanding the unique needs of children and families.
- Deep Community Roots: With nearly four decades of service in Orange and Rockland Counties, United Hospice has built trusted relationships across diverse communities, understanding the cultural and healthcare dynamics of the region.
- Specialized Pediatric Training: Staff—including nurses, social workers, and chaplains—have received focused pediatric training to ensure developmentally appropriate, family-centered care.
- Collaborative Care Model: United Hospice partners closely with local hospitals, pediatricians, and children’s healthcare providers to ensure seamless care coordination—a necessity when multiple treatments and services are involved.
- Comprehensive Family Support: Beyond clinical care, United Hospice provides grief counseling, respite services, and emotional support for parents, siblings, and caregivers—because serious illness affects the whole family.
A Critical Service for the Region
Despite being a legally mandated benefit, pediatric concurrent hospice care remains vastly underutilized across the country. This is often due to a shortage of trained providers and the complexity of integrating curative and hospice services. In Orange and Rockland Counties, families have historically had limited access to this specialized care.
United Hospice is determined to change that.
“Children and families facing serious illness deserve both the best medical care and the chance to hope,” said Cara Pace, CEO of United Hospice. “Pediatric Concurrent Hospice Care allows us to honor that belief in every case.”
To lead this important initiative, United Hospice has appointed its first Director of Pediatric Services, Lacy Rugaber-Williams, RN, CHPN, CHPPN, CCM. “She is an outstanding clinician, a compassionate leader, and a tireless advocate,” said Pace. “We are proud to have her guiding our expanded pediatric program.”
Looking Ahead
As part of its growth strategy, United Hospice is collaborating with schools, pediatric practices, and hospital systems to build a coordinated network of care throughout the region. The goal is simple yet powerful: to create a community where no child with a serious illness has to choose between pursuing treatment and receiving comfort-focused care.
As Orange and Rockland Counties consider providers for this essential service, United Hospice stands out—not only for its clinical expertise, but for its deep commitment to compassion, dignity, and choice. To gain more information about United Kids you can call (845) 634-4974 and will be directly connected to the pediatric department.
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