About us
“Every child deserves HELP.”
Pediatric H.E.L.P. Organization — Pediatric Healing, Encephalopathy Leadership Program — is a California nonprofit public benefit corporation with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, founded to build the center these families have never had.
Mission
Pediatric H.E.L.P. Organization exists to restore childhoods interrupted by PANDAS, PANS, and related post-infectious neuroimmune disorders — by delivering fast, expert, integrated medical and behavioral care; making that care accessible regardless of a family's ability to fight the system alone; and leading the advancement of the field through education, advocacy, and research.
Our vision
A future in which every child affected by a post-infectious neuroimmune disorder is recognized early, treated promptly, and fully supported — and in which no family faces this diagnosis alone or in financial ruin.
Pediatric H.E.L.P. Organization aims to become the West Coast's leading center of excellence for pediatric neuroimmune illness, and a model replicable in other regions that have the same gap.
What the name means
H.E.L.P. stands for Healing, Encephalopathy, Leadership Program — healing for the child, a name for what is actually happening in the brain, and the leadership responsibility that comes with being first in the region.
The rainbow in our mark is drawn as a shelter: six arcs of protection over a single point of light. The line beneath it is the promise the whole organization is built on — “every child deserves HELP.”
Core values
Child first
Every decision is measured against whether it returns a child to health and to childhood.
Whole-family care
We treat the household, not just the patient. Parents and siblings are part of the care plan.
Access & equity
We fight the insurance and cost barriers that keep effective care out of reach.
Science & humility
We follow the evidence, publish our outcomes, and update our practice when the data says to.
Speed with safety
Early treatment saves function. We move fast without cutting a single clinical corner.
Families at the table
Lived experience is a governance competency. Parents sit on our board, not just in our waiting room.
Where we are, honestly
We are a funded-in-progress organization building toward a clinic opening. We think families and donors deserve to know exactly which stage we're in — so here it is.
- Complete
Incorporated & tax-exempt
California nonprofit public benefit corporation formed, with 501(c)(3) recognition in place. Donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
- In progress
Founding board & capital campaign
Recruiting a founding board of 7–11 directors and raising founding capital for buildout, equipment, licensure, and working reserves.
- Next
Facility & buildout
Securing a facility serving Greater Los Angeles, Ventura County, and Orange County, beginning clinic and infusion-suite buildout, and starting payer credentialing.
- Then
Licensure & clinical hiring
Clinic and infusion licensure, EMR and infusion pharmacy, and hiring the medical and behavioral team.
- Opening
Doors open to families
Soft launch of the diagnostic clinic, followed by infusion go-live and wellbeing programming. Target: within 18 months.
Governance
We operate with a conflict-of-interest policy, whistleblower policy, and document-retention policy from inception, and through standing Executive, Finance/Audit, Clinical Quality & Compliance, and Development committees.
Clinical care will be delivered in full compliance with California's corporate-practice-of-medicine rules, under guidance of health-law counsel.
Not yet seeing patients. Our clinic is in development. We are not currently accepting patient referrals or providing medical care. Join the family list and we'll notify you the moment that changes.
Leadership & board
Our founding board combines governance, clinical, financial, and lived-experience perspective. We are actively recruiting for several seats.
| Seat | Why it matters | Status |
|---|---|---|
| President / governance | Leads the organization and the board; ensures mission and fiduciary duty | Danielle Rubin-Luchs |
| Pediatric physician / immunologist | Clinical credibility and quality oversight | |
| Child psychiatrist or psychologist | Behavioral-health expertise for the integrated model | |
| Healthcare finance / administration | Reimbursement, budgeting, operations | |
| Development / philanthropy | Fundraising strategy and donor networks | |
| Health-law attorney | Compliance, corporate practice of medicine, contracts | |
| Parent / lived experience | Keeps families at the center of every decision | |
| Community / business leader | Local networks, partnerships, and visibility |