Immigrant Child Health Committee
Mission Statement
The Immigrant Child Health Committee of the MDAAP is committed to developing the capacity of pediatricians and pediatric health care providers to provide equitable access to quality health care and supportive services for immigrant children and families in Maryland. Through collaboration and advocacy, we strive to eliminate barriers, promote culturally responsive care, and empower immigrant children to thrive in a welcoming and inclusive environment, ensuring they have the opportunity to reach their full potential.
Vision Statement
Our vision is of a Maryland where every immigrant child has access to high-quality healthcare, comprehensive support services, and a nurturing environment that embraces their diversity and empowers them to flourish.
Committee Chairs
Nick Cuneo, MD, FAAP
Hayley Sparks, MD, FAAP
For contact information, go to General Information.
Current Activities
- Developing modality/platform for providers across disciplines (Pediatricians, Pediatric NP, Family Med) to communicate about immigrant health issues in Maryland
- Creating centralized repository of child immigrant health resources with our partners in the DC AAP Immigrant Child Health Committee.
- Strengthening medicolegal partnerships in Maryland for immigrant families with meetings with immigration attorneys
Resources
- National AAP Immigrant Child Health Webpage
- National Immigrant Child Health Toolkit
- DMV Specific Immigrant Resources – Developed by our partners at the DC AAP Immigrant Health Committee
- Free Immigration Law Information Sessions – Conducted biweekly in Spanish by pro bono attorneys at the Southeast Anchor Branch of the Enoch Pratt Library
Know Your Rights (KYR)
- Red Cards: Can order or print out, in multiple languages
- Know Your Right (KYR) app. Reads rights out loud/immediately calls emergency contacts
- “Know Your Rights” video 1
- “Know Your Rights” video 2
- National Immigrant Law Center (NILC)
National Hispanic Medical Association (NHMA) – Immigration Rights Toolkit (PDFs) – en and es
Family Facing Resources
- Family Preparedness Plan
- How to talk to a child about deportation or separation (PDFs)
- Samples of Letters of Support for Immigration Cases
- Maryland Standby Guardianship Applications and Explanation (In english, spanish, and many other languages)
Legal/Policy- National
- AAP Official Policy Statement: Providing Care for Children in Immigrant Families
- AAP Official Policy Statement: Detention of Immigrant Children
Immigrant Nonprofits Active in Maryland
- MD Attorney General Guidance for Healthcare Providers (pdf) (Provides guidance on how to respond to ICE personnel entering clinic spaces in Maryland)
- Montgomery County Schools- Immigration Supports (Downloadable flyer in 6 languages including Immigration Nonprofits active in MD, Know your rights Information and how to respond to ICE personnel coming to school)
- Esperanza Center
- We are Casa
- Maryland Pro Bono Resource Center
- Catholic Charities: Immigration Legal Services
Contacts for questions/getting more involved with Committee:
Hayley Sparks HayleyTheaSparks@gmail.com – Co-Chair/Co-Founder