OUR MISSION
When we learn together,
children thrive.
SLOTH funds research networks and learning health communities dedicated to transforming care for medically complex children.
Our Mission
We start where the need is greatest — with children dependent on tracheostomy and ventilator care at home — and we grow by investing in the networks, the data, and the shared learning that turns good intentions into better outcomes.
Our Vision
A world where every child with a complex medical condition goes home — and stays home — supported by families empowered with knowledge, and cared for by communities that learn and improve together.
WHY WE EXIST
A system not built for these children.
Children with tracheostomy and chronic ventilator dependence spend more time in the hospital than any other pediatric population. Despite generating more clinical data than almost any other group, the evidence guiding their care is thin, fragmented, and inconsistent.
Two children with identical diagnoses may receive completely different care depending solely on where they are born. That inequity costs children their safety — and sometimes their lives.
“The healthcare system is not designed to provide this type of care.”
— Parent of a child with tracheostomy
200+
Days average initial hospital stay
25%
20%
0
HOW IT WORKS
Our theory of change
Every element of SLOTH’s work connects to a downstream outcome for children and families.
SLOTH raises funds
From donors, foundations, and corporate partners
Awards grants to learning health networks
Starting with the TRACH/VENT Learning Network
Networks collect shared data
Identifying what works and what doesn’t
Best practices spread everywhere
Every institution in the network gets better together
Children go home and stay home
Fewer hospital days. Fewer avoidable deaths. Stronger families.
