Impact Calendar
Please click on logos for links to more information
July 2025
July 6, 2025 – The Gazette, Cedar Rapids, IA Newspaper Article
Building care from the inside out — inspired by Mason.
This thoughtful article from The Gazette highlights the vision and courage of Shanna and Curtis Sieck, who are working to open Mason’s Lighthouse, Iowa’s first pediatric palliative and respite care home — created in loving memory of their son, Mason.
At the National Center, we’re proud to support families like the Siecks, who are translating lived experience into sustainable community care models. As our CEO Jonathan Cottor shares in the article:
“Families know what this care is. They need help figuring out how to build it.”
We're equally proud that Iowa has now passed Mason’s Law, establishing a new pediatric palliative care license — a groundbreaking policy step to make homes like this possible.
Read the full article:
https://www.thegazette.com/article/grinnell-family-inspired-by-their-late-son-works-to-bring-pediatric-palliative-care-center-to-iowa/
June 2025
June 13, 2025 – Rare Disease Fair, Seattle, WA
Jonathan Cottor, CEO for National Center for Pediatric Palliative Care Homes (NCPPCH), presented at the 2025 Rare Disease Fair, hosted by the Northwest Rare Disease Coalition. The event brought together advocates, clinicians, families, and policymakers to spotlight urgent needs and innovative models in rare disease care. Jonathan is joined by Chanelle Cordova (Project Manager, Northwest Rare Disease Coalition), Torrie Fields (fellow presenter), and Carolina Sommer (Co-Founder, Northwest Rare Disease Coalition) to highlight how pediatric respite and palliative care homes are addressing gaps for children with rare and complex conditions.
June 2025
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering & Medicine Conference
June 5-6, 2025
CEO Featured at National Academies Workshop on Family Caregiving
Our CEO was honored to serve as a panelist at the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine’s June 2025 workshop, Strategies and Interventions to Strengthen Support for Family Caregiving and to Alleviate Caregiver Burden. The event convened leading voices from across the country to share innovative approaches and policy solutions to better support family caregivers—especially those caring for medically complex children. Learn more about the workshop here.
May 2025
Hospice News 5/23/2025​​
Laying Legislative Groundwork for Sustainable Pediatric Respite & Hospice Care
Our national advocacy is spotlighted in this Hospice News feature (May 23, 2025), detailing bipartisan efforts across multiple states to introduce—and in some cases pass—legislation that ensures long-term funding, licensing, and operational standards for pediatric hospice and respite care facilities. The article highlights emerging centers like Mason’s Lighthouse (slated to launch in 2027–28) and underscores the policy frameworks being built to expand access to these essential services for families and children with serious illness .
April 2025
Arch National Lifespan Respite Conference
Keynote Speaker
April 1-3
Huntsville, AL
Our CEO delivered a thought-leading keynote at the 2025 National Lifespan Respite Conference—hosted by the ARCH National Respite Network & Resource Center in Huntsville, AL, from April 1–3. The conference, themed “RAISE and Engage – Launch Respite Now!”, featured nationally recognized speakers, over 40 breakout sessions, and the premiere of the PBS documentary Caregiving In his address, our CEO presented the “National Strategy” emphasizing strategies to advance respite care across the lifespan, spotlighting the integration of policy, research, and on-the-ground innovation to uplift family caregivers and expand access.
March 2025
3/26/25 Advocacy Program Pushes for Improved Pediatric Hospice, Respite, Palliative Care Article
​
Advocacy Program Pushes for Improved Pediatric Hospice, Respite & Palliative Care
Featured in Hospice News on March 26, 2025, this article spotlights a national advocacy initiative led by the National Center for Pediatric Palliative Care Homes. The Children’s Respite Homes of America campaign, launched in 2023, is working alongside over 40 programs in 27 states—and plans to add 50 more homes over the next five years—to expand pediatric hospice, respite, and palliative care nationwide.
The initiative focuses on three pillars: raising awareness and education, advancing policy change, and building a supportive national network. It aims for a long-term vision of establishing 266 pediatric care homes to provide essential, no-cost support to families and to shift systemic policy toward comprehensive federal recognition of pediatric palliative care.​
​
April 2025
3/14/25 Daily Independent (AZ) Article
​
Scottsdale Leader Expands Pediatric Hospice Model Nationwide
This spotlight highlights Scottsdale resident Jonathan Cottor—renowned for founding Phoenix’s Ryan House—now working to establish pediatric hospice and respite homes across the country. By scaling a proven, family-centered care model born in Phoenix, Cottor’s efforts exemplify local innovation inspiring a broader movement to deliver compassionate, no-cost support for children with life-limiting conditions and their families.
.png)
March 2025
3/15/25 CURE Presentation
​
Keynote Webinar: “A Chance to Rest – Scaling Community‑Based Children’s Care Homes”
Our CEO, Jonathan Cottor, served as the featured speaker for CURE’s March 15, 2025 support group webinar, presenting via Zoom to caregivers nationwide. In his keynote titled “A Chance to Rest: Scaling Community‑Based Children’s Care Homes”, he shared our vision and strategic insights for expanding pediatric respite and care homes throughout the U.S., underscoring community-based approaches that support both children and their families.
December 2024
Non-Profit Show featuring Jonathan Cottor
​
Championing Compassionate Care: Children’s Respite Homes
On this heartfelt podcast episode, Jonathan Cottor, CEO and founder of the National Center for Pediatric Palliative Care Homes, shares his personal journey in establishing Phoenix’s Ryan House and outlines the vision behind expanding pediatric respite and palliative care homes nationwide. Topics include the emotional foundation of respite care, the vital role of community and volunteer support, and practical strategies for scaling compassionate, family-centered services. His insights shed light on how to build sustainable, no-cost care models that uplift both children with serious illness and their caregivers—making the podcast a compelling source of inspiration and a powerful call to action.​​​
​
.jpg)
August 2024
Hospice News 8/13/2024
​​
The Tangled Web of Pediatric Palliative Care Payment and Policy
Featured in Hospice News on August 13, 2024, this article delves into the intricate landscape of pediatric palliative care, highlighting the challenges posed by varying state regulations, reimbursement policies, and the need for standardized care models. It underscores the importance of cohesive policy frameworks to ensure equitable access to quality pediatric palliative care services nationwide.
May 2024
Article: A Children’s Respite Home is Where the Heart is
​​
A Children’s Respite Home Is Where the Heart Is
In the May 2024 edition of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization’s Pediatric e-Journal, our CEO Jonathan Cottor co-authored an article highlighting the critical need for pediatric respite and palliative care homes. The piece underscores the challenges faced by families of children with complex medical conditions, emphasizing the exhaustion and isolation that often accompany caregiving. It also discusses the systemic gaps in support and the importance of community-based care models in providing relief and improving quality of life for both children and their families.
February 2024
Article: Parents of Children with Rare Diseases Need a Break​​
In this deeply personal article featured in the NHPCO Pediatric e-Journal (February 2024), our CEO Jonathan Cottor shares the story of his son Ryan’s journey with spinal muscular atrophy and the inspiration behind founding Ryan House and the National Center for Pediatric Palliative Care Homes. The piece underscores the urgent need for pediatric respite care, especially for families caring for children with rare diseases, and calls for national investment in building safe, community-based respite homes where caregivers can rest and children receive expert, compassionate care.
October 2023
Event
Guest Speaker – October 7, 2023
​
Keynote in Cincinnati: Supporting Sarah House Children’s Respite Home
On October 7, 2023, our CEO Jonathan Cottor flew to Cincinnati, Ohio, to deliver a keynote address to Sarah House donors and community supporters. Drawing on his personal experience with Ryan House in Phoenix, he shared the vision and framework behind our national effort to bring pediatric respite homes like Sarah House to communities across America. The evening galvanized local stakeholders with the knowledge, enthusiasm, and encouragement needed to help Sarah House open its doors and deliver essential relief to families caring for children with life-limiting conditions.
​
September 2023
Inaugural Fall Breakfast
Guest Speaker – September 28, 2023
​
Keynote Speaker at LifeHouse Atlanta Inaugural Fall Breakfast
Our CEO, Jonathan Cottor, traveled to Atlanta to be a featured speaker at Life House Atlanta’s inaugural fall breakfast event on September 28, 2023. He delivered an inspiring message to community supporters, discussing the importance of launching pediatric respite homes and drawing on his experience with Ryan House and our national efforts. His remarks energized attendees and helped build momentum toward establishing a new children’s care home through the Life House Atlanta model.
September 2023
Launch Event – September 21, 2023
​
Launch Event: "Unite for Medically Fragile Children"
On September 21, 2023, Children’s Respite Homes of America hosted its inaugural “Unite for Medically Fragile Children” webinar—marking a pivotal step in our movement to establish community-based pediatric respite, palliative, and hospice care homes nationwide. The well‑attended virtual event brought together advocates, families, healthcare professionals, and supporters to share insights and rally around our mission. It spotlighted our collective dedication to expanding access to dignified, family-centered care for medically fragile children across the U.S.
August 2023
Guest Speaker: Abigail E Keller Foundation – August 12, 2023
​
The night honored Abigail Elizabeth Keller, the inspiration and namesake behind the impactful Austin-based nonprofit. Providing essential tools and services to medically fragile children and their families, including community outreach programs, financial grants for items not covered by insurance and Family Care packages for those entering hospice programs, the organization has raised more than $400,000 since their inception in 2019.
​
The annual gala also acts as a vital source of funding for the Foundation’s current mission of building Central Texas’ first pediatric respite/hospice facility.
“Our greatest mission is to change the narrative around hospice care for children and instead help families to cherish time with the ones they love most,” says the Foundation’s president, Melissa Keller. “This facility will serve as a safe space staffed with trained professionals, that is a comfortable setting outside of the home or hospital. Such a space is vital to families, especially those with other children at home, and there is currently nothing like this available in Texas.”
Emceed by 1998 Miss Texas USA Holly Mills-Gardner, the program included a key note speech from Ryan’s House’s Jonathan Cottor on his experience building one of only three pediatric respite/hospice homes in the entire country. With the goal to establish the same groundbreaking care for Central Texans, Abigail’s parents Melissa and Travis continue to spread the same light as their daughter with neighbors in need.
February 2023
Guest Speaker: Arizona College of Nursing
February 15, 2023
​Sharing his lived experiences as a dad of a child diagnosed with Spinal Muscular
Atrophy, Jonathan wove his family story of Ryan’s birth, diagnosis and introduction to the Helen House care model during their years in England and how it impacted their return to Arizona and the founding of Ryan House. The nursing students learned how these freestanding pediatric palliative care homes fill a missing gap in a community’s care continuum, and the crucial roles that nurses play in not only providing care but also as leaders in this rapidly developing field of pediatric palliative care. He updated them to the exciting progress being made in the newly formed National Center for Pediatric Palliative Care Homes, and the vision to support expansion of U.S. home-based care providers.​The nursing labor shortage can be felt even more dramatically within U.S. home health agencies, as many new RN graduates pursue careers in hospitals that often pay significantly higher wages. A goal of Jonathan’s time with the Nursing students was to highlight the value of relationships and quality of care connections that are made between nursing professionals and children with life-limiting conditions and their families, and to encourage consideration for pursing home-based careers. For many, it is a calling!
September 2022
National Lifespan Respite Conference: Reimagine Respite – September 14, 2022
​
Conference Breakout Session: Recharge caregivers by filling gap in unmet overnight respite thru scaling Children’s Hospice Homes
​
Presenter: Jonathan Cottor, NCPPCH Leadership
Communities fortunate enough to have a Children’s Hospice Home are reimagining a solution to meet the unmet overnight respite needs of family caregivers. A ground-breaking national center of excellence has formed in 2022, to promote the scaling of community-based pediatric palliative and hospice programs, including Children’s Hospice Homes. Learn and be inspired to connect and engage.
March 2022
PediPal
Episode 13: House Away From Home
​
As Sarah and Dan continue their international tour in 2022, they find themselves surprisingly close to home in Phoenix, Arizona... by way of England, and by way of an inspiring story of community, advocacy, and ingenuity.
In this Episode your PediPal crew hears the story of the Cottor family and the founding of Ryan House, as well as the hopes for the future of pediatric hospice houses in the USA. And they learn some of the logistical challenges on the other side of their common "If I won the lottery..." fantasy.
September 2021
ARCH cohosted this event with the BREAK Exchange – September 1, 2021
Webinar: Sleep is #2: How U.S. Children’s Hospice Homes are fulfilling the unmet need for overnight respite
Presenter: Jonathan Cottor, Like House Coalition
The #1 wish that all families with a child on a life-limited journey wants is a cure, next is some sleep. The U.K. Children’s Hospice Home model started almost 40 years ago with Helen House and has grown to over 54 homes today. A simple concept that focuses on family and caregiver support by providing overnight respite, and pediatric palliative and end-of-life hospice care throughout a child’s journey. Thankfully three communities have succeeded in opening this much needed care model in the U.S., and many more are in various stages of development.
The presenter, Jonathan Cottor, will provide insights from his own family experience at Helen House and decades as a national advocate and champion for this model.
​
In this webinar, learn the status of the U.S. Children’s Hospice Home movement:
·What services this model provides, and how it is an important part of the continuum of care to meet unmet needs for families whose children have chronic and complex medical conditions.
