With so much health information on the Internet, it is important to know who publishes information and why. This information is specifically created to answer questions about who is in charge of Hand to Hold, how it is funded, its mission, its advertising and sponsorship policies, editorial policy and its code of ethics. We welcome your questions at Kelli [at] handtohold [dot] org.
Who is in charge of Hand to Hold?
Hand to Hold was founded by Kelli Kelley and is an independant 501(c)3 nonprofit. It was previously a 501(c)3 operating as a fund of the Austin Community Foundation. In collaboration with a board of directors and advisory team, Ms. Kelley makes all decisions in regard to the content selected for website articles, programs, newsletters, blog and daily oversees a small staff and numerous volunteers. She is not a medical professional. She is a parent of two preemies and ardent advocate for connecting families who have had a difficult pregnancy, premature birth, loss of a baby, or a child with a special health care need.
Hand to Hold’s Blog, PreemieBabies101, Moderation
Hand to Hold launched a parent blog in spring 2012 called PreemieBabies101. This blog was originally founded by fellow preemie parent Afton Mower. She transferred ownership of the blog so that it could expand and continue under the leadership of Hand to Hold.
- This blog is moderated. Moderators are mix of paid staff and volunteers. Internet users posting comments on this blog should not be considered as health professionals. If you are a health professional, please identify yourself in your comments.
- Comments posted on this Blog should be designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between a patient/site visitor and his/her existing physician or health provider.
- We remind you that everyone can read and use your comments. Once posted, you may not erase your comments. The moderator may occasionally edit comments with typos.
- We ask that Internet users commenting on this blog behave with respect and honesty at all times.
- This blog is designed to help parents support one another. Please be respectful and do not use this forum to post commercial/advertising-related comments.
- Internet users commenting on PreemieBabies101 must post information which is true and correct to their knowledge. We invite you to provide resources (references, links, …) on health/medical claims when possible and relevant.
- In keeping with the mission of Hand to Hold, PreemieBabies101 doesn’t promote third-party fundraising campaigns or soliciting forum members for donations.
- Moderators reserve the right to erase, without notification, any comment they would judge inappropriate.
Netiquette
The following are a set of recommendations as you leave comments and interact with us on the blog, in the social media space, and on the Hand to Hold website.
- Be Yourself & Be courteous – Be yourself. And, carefully consider how you communicate online, whether in comment to a post on the Website, the blog, or on Facebook or Twitter. Always treat others as you would like to be treated.
- Use Emoticons - When communicating online, it can be difficult to gauge a writer’s emotion. You may consider using emoticons to convey your emotion.
- Be Concise – Keep your message concise where possible. You may consider using acronyms or abbreviations, including ones that preemie parents are familiar with.
- Don’t Shout – Please do not write in all capital letters. It is considered SHOUTING, and considered rude.
- Pay Attention to Language - Improper, inappropriate or bad language is not appropriate. Also, remember that people from other countries may be participating in the conversation and language barriers may be an issue.
- Think Before Posting – What is posted today, could be harmful in the future. Please carefully consider the comments you make, the photos you post, and what conversations you should or shouldn’t contribute to. Please do not start a “flame war.”
- Keep Personal Information Private - Posting private and personal information in the wrong location can have serious consequences. Identity theft is a rapidly growing concern. And, we want to make sure that your family and children are protected as well. Consider using a unique user name instead of a full name for example.
- Obey Copyright Laws - Obey copyright laws. Provide links and references for information you provide. Some material may be licensed through a Creative Commons license which requires appropriate attribution.
- Help Newbies - Be patient and helpful to others who are new. Remember, everyone was a newbie once.
- Do Not Make Threats - Do not use handtohold.org or any of our website features to post any material which is knowingly false and/or defamatory, inaccurate, abusive, vulgar, hateful, harassing, threatening, invasive of a person’s privacy, or otherwise violative of any law.
Does Hand to Hold accept advertising?
Hand to Hold is funded through grants, sponsorships, events, advertising and donations from individuals, families and organizations. Its advertisers typically include medical device companies, pharmaceutical companies, and health care providers that target the unique medical needs preemies and their families have.
Advertising Policy
We accept advertisements for products and services that we deem to be of interest to our supporters and which are in keeping with our editorial policy of parent empowerment, sound science and medical accuracy.
Sponsorship Policy
Sponsorship denotes long-term financial commitment to support a selected area of the web site, blog, Hand to Hold program or fundraising event. Sponsorship will be noted via a clearly marked image at the top of the sponsored pages or as a list of sponsors on an event page. Visit Hand to Hold’s sponsors.
Exclusions
As a matter of policy, we do not accept advertising for alcohol or any product sold through multi-level marketing programs or from sales affiliates.
What does Hand to Hold do?
Hand to Hold provides comprehensive navigation resources and support programs to parents of preemies, babies born with special health care needs and those who have experienced a loss due to these or other complications. Read the Hand to Hold mission and vision. Information found on the website and blog are not intended to take the place of a personal physician. The Hand to Hold site and blog serves as a resource and outlet to connect a community of families affected by premature birth with one another to provide emotional support. These resources and understanding helps families navigate a complex health care system so families can more easily find the information they need to care for their child and their family. Hand to Hold is not a medical-authored website. Hand to Hold provides peer support for parents and caregivers.
Editorial Policy
Advertisers and sponsors are not permitted to influence the editorial content of the web site. All advertising is labeled while editorial content is designated by an author either by name or by status. Because Hand to Hold is a peer support website, all content of HandtoHold.org including its blog found at both www.preemiebabies101.com and blog.handtohold.org–unless otherwise noted by a medical professional–is authored by non-medical professional authors and parents. All comments are moderated on the website and blog by paid staff.
What is the HON Code?
The Health On the Net Foundation (HON) promotes and guides the deployment of useful and reliable online health information, and its appropriate and efficient use. Created in 1995, HON is a non-profit, non-governmental organization, accredited to the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. For 15 years, HON has focused on the essential question of the provision of health information to citizens, information that respects ethical standards. To cope with the unprecedented volume of healthcare information available on the Net, the HONcode of conduct offers a multi-stakeholder consensus on standards to protect citizens from misleading health information.
Hand to Hold is currently making refinements to its website in order to seek voluntary certification with Health on the Net.
Credits: Moderation policy adapted from HONCode; Netiquette guidelines adapted from Internet @ Suite 101
